SanDisk India built extreme temperature testing platforms with Soch3D's functional design and versatile 3D Printing materials

SanDisk India had a prototype designed and fabricated in Israel which had failed to perform under the extreme temperature setup. Consequently, they had approached Soch3D to solve this issue.

Problem identification and insights gained from failure of the previous prototype:

• Non ESD safe material was used for fabrication
• Prototype internal structure (density) affects prototype durability
• Low temperature can change di-electric properties of the material used for fabrication
  
  

Design Brief:

To design a fixture/platform for mounting Huawei mate 20 pro and memory card testing accessories for testing memory card in the extreme temperature range: - 40 ° C to 160 ° C for maximum up to 15 days

Directions:

• Compact, Extreme range temp resistant,
• Electro static discharge (ESD) resistant design,
• Resistant to cracking at low temperatures,
• Fixture should cool on its own when placed at room temperature,
• Memory card module needs support from the bottom
• Reusable and durable

Solving the Problem Research Phase: Elaborate research was done to decide upon a suitable material and corresponding production process. 3D printing was chosen as the preferred method to fabricate the 3D design as it allows for design freedom unlike traditional prototyping/manufacturing processes.

Design Development: Design concept was conceived and developed analytically, with incremental improvement in form, functionality and usability

Concept design was succeeded by 3d modelling phase, Design was further iterated in the 3D space as per the client’s feedback and renewed directions from the stakeholders.

3d Design was fabricated using FDM technology and printed in Poly carbonate with 100% infill.

• Poly carbonate was chosen because it can be 3d printed which allows for design freedom and it can work continuously between -30 to 150° C
• Glass transition temperature of poly carbonate is around 150° C, at this temperature state of material starts to change from solid to semi solid. It can work continuously below 150°C
• It also is relatively ESD safe at low temperatures

The end product was well received by the SanDisk India after the testing period of 15 days. They successfully tested their memory card in the extreme temperature setup for the extended period of time.