Quickparts Delivers Functional Prototypes for PadPivot Stand

By DE Editors

Client: PadPivot
Industry: Electronic Accessory
Project: PadPivotTM Stand
Process: PolyJet

Overview:   Bernie Graham, an inventor from North Bay Ontario, Canada has a popular tablet reader. Bernie, like many others, found the tablet frustrating to use with both hands as intended.  Unless sitting at a table, the tablet required the user to hold the device with one hand, which limited the user’s ability to freely type with two hands or operate many of the applications.  

“Bernie had an idea for a hands-free stand that would sit on your lap, making tablets and e-readers more comfortable and easy to use,” stated Jim Young, the Industrial Designer for the project who partnered with Bernie to create the PadPivot. Jim got involved with this project after meeting Bernie on a social design website and from there the PadPivot was born.   Already receiving much interest on Quirky.com where the idea was introduced, Jim and Bernie moved the new product to Kickstarter.com in order to raise enough capital through pre-orders to fund the injection molding tools needed to complete the manufacturing of the PadPivot.

Challenge:   To gain interest and support for funding on Kickstarter, prototypes were needed immediately.   Bernie and Jim required that the prototypes be as close as possible to the final production quality and feel, which included two different materials -- a rigid ABS material for the body and a soft rubber-like material for the edges of the stand.  Along with the strict mechanical requirements of the PadPivot prototypes, time was also a critical factor. Jim, through previous experiences, knew that Quickparts would have the right solution for this product and could deliver on the tight schedule required.

“Timing was crucial for this project,” said Bernie.  “Functional prototypes were needed immediately for marketing and pre-sales.  We had to keep this project moving forward since we only had 60 days with our Kickstarter program to raise the funds required for production.”  

Solution:   Quickparts recommended PolyJet Connex technology to create the complex dual-material prototypes required.  The PolyJet process enabled Quickparts to produce the overmolded parts in half the time of other conventional overmolding processes, according to the company.  With fully functional prototypes in hand, Bernie was able to promote the PadPivot through videos and demonstrations.  Quickparts' extensive product offering and quick turnaround helped Bernie and Jim meet the pre-sale goals required to move the PadPivot to production weeks before the 60-day deadline.  

“The quick service that we received was great. I was very impressed with how quickly you called me to discuss my project needs after quoting online,” Bernie told Quickparts.

Benefits:   Unsure of what solution would meet their needs, Bernie and Jim turned to the experts in rapid prototyping at Quickparts for guidance on the best process to meet their mechanical requirements in such a short time frame.  Quickparts’ fast response and delivery made this project a success.

“With such a short time frame for this project, quick and correct parts were necessary,” said Bernie.   “Quickparts came through on all fronts and kept me well informed throughout the process with constant and thorough communication.”