Cases

Home Cases / Fatspanner and Materialise Slash NPD cycles

Fatspanner and Materialise Slash NPD cycles

Given the importance of the ATEI 2007 to showcase the Dune Jukebox and Twin Core Monitor, we once again put our trust in Materialise, who delivered a fantastic solution producing quality parts in record breaking time.
Alistair Edwards, Fatspanner, UK

Considering our experience in providing solutions for coin-op machine manufacturers, I am confident that we can help reduce costs and cut NPD cycles in many other segments of the industry.
Philip Hudson, Managing director, Materialise RapidParts Ltd.

Marketing model of intended production gaming machine by means of FDM & SLA technologies

Fatspanner are a young, fresh and innovative company that combines product design and gaming design experience to produce the complete modern gaming machine package, incorporating both the machine terminals and the software content.

The Dune - Fatspanner’s first entry into the jukebox market, which sets its self apart from the rest of the market with its unusual form and ambient lighting.

We worked with Fatspanner to help them gain a competitive advantage by further speeding up their rapid gaming machine development cycle. Together we were able to compress the time from initial concept to prototype to only 6 weeks.
Thanks to this remarkable throughput time, Fatspanner could create a great deal of hype for their new Dune Jukebox and Twin Core Monitor at ATEI 2007 show.

The initial concept was realised by Fatspanner in November 2006, the CAD designs were submitted to us and 9 days later Fatspanner received fully finished prototypes of the Dune and Twin Core Monitor, with enough time to assemble them for the ATEI 2007 show at Earl’s Court.

Twin Core Monitor – Fatspanner’s refreshing spin on the increasingly popular two screen terminal format. It is designed to meet the needs of the AWP (amusement with prizes) and FOBT (fixed odds betting terminal) markets, with its two 19” TFT touchscreen displays angled in a traditional AWP format.

Hosting the world’s largest capacity of RP techniques on one site, from concept SLA models through to low volume injection moulded components, we were able to offer Fatspanner the most suitable RP solution to replicate the intended production model. The main body of the Dune was produced by the FDM process (finished to light spark matt black) and the translucent corner pieces were produced via the SLA process and treated with dead matt paint.

We have since been working with Fatspanner to finalise the most effective method of manufacturing the jukeboxes, reviewing both R.I.M. (Reaction Injection Moulding) and traditional injection moulding. Previously, Fatspanner manufactured gaming machines via vacuum forming, however they would like the production models of the Dune to reflect the high quality of the design and are therefore taking the Dune down the injection moulding route with us.

Mr. Edwards explains how Materialise assisted Fatspanner throughout the whole development cycle:

We have found that Materialise are ‘the’ one-stop shop for NPD. First, they were able to provide a realistic representation of the final production terminals by employing their wide variety of prototyping techniques. They were then able to talk us through and advise us upon the most effective low volume production method. Consequently, we then had another consultation with Materialise, where they advised us how to optimally design the parts for the injection moulding production method. Now the final production terminals are being produced via injection moulding at Materialise’s RapidParts tool shop in the UK.

Back