The CRS Group benefit from using 3D modelling & 3D printing expertise to showcase its product range
The CRS Group, in collaboration with Connect The Dots Innovation, utilized 3D CAD models & 3D printed replicas to showcase their product range to potential clients, in both the digital and physical realms.
Client Background
Over the years, through substantial investment in R&D and attentive response to customer needs, The CRS Group has developed a range of innovative cold storage products, including 16ft/24ft wide mega mobile cold stores, blast freezers & Pharma Grade portable cold stores
Today, The CRS Group primarily operates in Ireland and the UK. However, with many products suitable for export, The CRS Group strives to assist customers wherever they are. The company supplies both new and refurbished equipment and offers various cold storage rental, lease, and sales options.
Problem statement
The CRS Group manufacture products that are both large-scale and bespoke, making it a challenge to physically showcase new designs to their client base. By creating detailed 3D CAD models of their products, The CRS Group could present clients with a full overview of the cold storage solution being
provided, in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner. Creating 3D printed scale models of products would allow them to be presented in a real, tangible way to the customer, allowing them to understand proposed layouts more readily.
Solution
orking with basic existing 2D layouts, Connect The Dots Innovation generated accurate fullydetailed 3D models using Autodesk Inventor software. These 3D models were exported out to .OBJ format, which could then be used during client presentations to aid visual interpretation of the product. Simplified versions of the 3D Inventor models were used to 3D print 1:50 scale models in PLA material on a Bambu X1C printer.
Results
At project handover stage, The CRS Group were provided with:
- .OBJ file format versions of their products, which can be used to view products in both
“standard” 3D viewing software and also in VR (Virtual Reality) space. - Physical 3D-printed scale models of their products, in a variety of bespoke colours, which can
be used to aid customers’ understanding of the product layouts being discussed.
In future, the Autodesk Inventor 3D models created by Connect The Dots Innovation can also be used to generate additional valuable items such as:
- Detailed fabrication drawings
- Images and parts lists for operation manuals
- Rendered images/videos of products for marketing channels
“Everyone was very impressed with the 3D printed models we received from Connect The Dots Innovation. Clients really enjoy the tactile nature of using the 3D printed models when discussing their project. The 3D prints really are a great aid during client discussions. Coupled with the digital 3D CAD models, which can be traversed on-screen, it makes the task of presenting our products a lot easier. We will definitely be looking for more prints and 3D models going forward!”
Kieran Glennon, The CRS Group Process Engineer
