Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast · 10 Oct 2024 · 1h 13m
Lucian Shapira and Stephen Uss of Opulo discuss the complexities of designing packaging for the Lumen PnP 3D printer, emphasizing the need for flexibility to accommodate future product iterations like feeders. They detail their transition from laser-cut foam prototypes to stamped tooling, highlighting the risks of outsourcing and the value of maintaining in-house capabilities. The hosts also cover critical testing methods, such as ISTA drop tests, and the balance between protection, cost, and sustainability in their supply chain.
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Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt of Studio Neat discuss the sudden shutdown of their injection molding supplier, Premier Source, and the resulting supply chain challenges. They detail the complex process of designing and iterating on packaging for the Mark 2 pen, balancing aesthetic goals with labor costs and waste. The episode concludes with a description of their 'merciless' fundraising campaign for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt of Studio Neat discuss the strategic role of packaging in their direct-to-consumer business, contrasting their minimalist, mail-optimized designs with Apple's high-end retail packaging. They detail specific solutions for products like the Neat Ice Kit and Cosmonaut, explaining how they balance custom printing with off-the-shelf components from suppliers like U-Line to manage costs and assembly labor. The conversation highlights the trade-offs between aesthetic delight and operational efficiency, particularly when dealing with third-party fulfillment centers and shipping constraints.
Filip Valica of Mako Design + Invent, interviewed by Khierstyn Ross of Crowdfunding Uncut, explains that crowdfunding campaigns often fail due to poor manufacturing planning rather than lack of funding. They discuss the importance of iterative prototyping, using 3D printing to decouple complex features, and the critical need to validate product-market fit before committing to tooling. The conversation covers strategies for sourcing overseas manufacturers, vetting them through trade fairs and third-party QA, and protecting intellectual property with NNN agreements to prevent design theft.
Hosts Adam Matos and Corey Connors discuss the regulatory risks of compostable packaging in California, noting that industrial facilities reject many certified materials. They then interview Fran and Nico from Pistachio, a startup whose glass jars are breaking during shipping due to inadequate custom box inserts. The hosts advise the founders to use stock cushioning like Scotch Cushion Lock, perform ISTA testing, and negotiate credits with their packaging supplier for the failed design.
Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the complexities of product logistics, with Jones detailing his experience managing a product manufactured in Korea through a US front company, highlighting issues with secrecy and 3D printed prototypes. Gammell shares his experience obtaining a design patent and using CNC-machined ABS prototypes to sell ideas internally, while also discussing the shift toward subscription-based 3D CAD tools like Fusion 360 and Onshape. The conversation covers the risks of using dev boards like the Raspberry Pi Zero in commercial products, the failure of the Zano crowdfunding campaign, and the potential acquisition of Atmel by Microchip.
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