The Snow Thrower Product Development

We used many rapid prototyping methods to prototype a snow thrower: SLA, SLS, CNC machining and rapid tooling. The first goal was to make one unit for fit check and functional testing. SLA models were built to achieve this goal in four days.

The customer also needed one unit for a functional dry run and a photoshoot. Painted SLS models were used for the handles, the knobs and a few of the gears. Painted SLA models were used for the handle deck. Cast urethane parts were used for the shoot and the cover. And CNC machining was used to create the transmission gears. Each step was completed in four days to two weeks.

We also built 30 units for functional testing outside in the winter elements. CNC machining was used in higher quantities for the transmission gears. The cast urethane parts were functional enough for the chute and cover. And rapid tooling replaced the SLA and SLS prototypes for this testing phase. The rapid tooled parts were shot with a glass-filled nylon, which was specified as the production material. The prototype parts were completed in three to four weeks. Based on the successful test results, the customer was able to release production tooling.