Faster Prototyping Brings More Innovation

 Prototyping parts to test is a lynch pin of innovation in the AODD space. Casting and molding production-quality parts is expensive and time consuming. Outsourcing prototyped parts was the gold standard to get things done quickly and done right. If 2020 taught us anything, however, it’s that global supply chain disruptions can and will happen and that can bring innovation to a screeching halt. 

approaching the problem

A successful business begins with a solution to a problem, but long-term success is more often marked by a company’s willingness to adapt to the environment. Foresight and flexibility in the marketplace can mark a turning point for a business, either in its favor or against.

Our problem, made obvious by the complex environment of 2020 logistics, was the ever-slowing pace at which true innovation could be made, given the circumstances. Our engineers had plenty of ideas to improve existing products and bring new products to life. Executing on the plans just seemed to take ages to complete.

3^rd party prototyping wasn’t an option any longer if we want to continue to push the envelope. We were going to need to find a different path. We were going to have to adapt and adjust. 

adaptation and new beginnings

The old way of doing things had to be rethought. That meant our internal teams would need to get their heads together and come up with a plan of attack. The best way to protype is 3D printed parts. Solving that problem raised several questions. First, do we have the internal team with the skill sets to learn and manage a 3D printer of some sort? Second, do we have a space we can dedicate to this infrastructure? Third, is it financially feasible?

Turns out, if you build great teams, the right people always step up to the plate and rise to the occasion. Spaces got juggled around. Team members took on the challenge head on and learned 3D printing. Investment was made to facility infrastructure to facilitate running the machine, storing the material, dealing with any waste product, finishing the parts for testing, and laying out the finished parts for display and review.

All these things took time and money up front, and it was not small investment. But, as iron sharpens iron, so innovation drives innovation. We knew this internal capability would be a game changer over the next 3-5 years, so we pulled the trigger.

the end result

Today our 3D printer hums along in the wee hours of the night, spitting out prototype parts that our engineers test and rework to perfection. Having the printer in-house, and the team in place to manage it, has been one of the best investments we could have made coming out of the 2020 nightmare.

Our plan was to recoup the investment within 3 years. Our current calculations show that we’ve already recouped our investment in the first 12 months. New parts get printed and tested as fast as our engineers can think them up. In fact, it’s improved our ability to innovate because we don’t have to be picky about the parts we test. The initial investment of time and money to get that prototyping done has been reduced so drastically that even some of our lower probability design ideas have been printed, tested, and refined into something usable. That never would have happened under the old way of doing things.

If you’re familiar with the SANDPIPER Beast pump, you’re well aware of the tremendous improvement in performance the stainless-steel flap provides in a heavy duty 2” AODD pump. By popular demand, after launching the 2” version in 2022, our engineers began work on the larger 3” and 4” version of the pump, specifically in metallic construction (stainless steel and cast iron). Larger pumps required a larger flap valve and so our team and the 3D printer got to work.

Launched earlier this year, the SANDPIPER 3” and 4” Beast pumps are our strongest performers in severe duty applications including mine dewatering where large solids are often encountered. The larger flaps were first printed in-house and tested for fit and function before we moved forward with the stainless-steel version of the flap. We expedited the entire process of bringing this innovation to market because of the forethought to invest in the 3D printing process coming out of 2020. Now, AODD pump users like you benefit from the innovation that proactive investment brings to the table.

Learn More About SANDPIPER Beast and Other Pumps   

If you’re in need of a best-in-class pump like the SANDPIPER Beast, contact our team of experts today. You can also find a distributor near you, learn about our certifications, and see what industries we serve by visiting our website.