EnCata engineered a 3D body scanner for the fashion retail industry which enabled accurate body measurement and real-time 3D modeling. In just 6 months, our team helped the client transform a concept prototype into a batch-ready product.
A customer running the business in the AR software domain came to EnCata with a proof-of-concept prototype (TRL-4) of their hardware body scanner. The client wanted to push their hardware technology towards batch production and focus all internal resources on developing custom 3D scanning and AR software technology for the fashion retail business. And the hardware scanner would be an extension of their core value proposition.
Challenges
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Approach & Solution
EnCata started the project from the engineering concept development followed by custom PCB and industrial design built around the components. The scanner’s industrial design took into account a wide range of UX factors, including human body weight, safety factors, UI, and manufacturability of the casing.
The prototype was built quickly and went through the engineering validation testing (EVT) and with minor changes qualified for the design validation tests. As a result of the DVT, the design was qualified for batch/mass production (TRL-8).
As part of the CMF, a sheet aluminum composite was selected to skin the scanner’s frame. This allowed to reduce the weight of the structure and obtain a stylish and sleek appearance of the unit. The combination of aluminum composite cladding and extruded aluminum sections helped to achieve a rigid, safe and elegant structure. The use of a stepper motor and ball screw drive ensured smooth movement with low noise and vibration of the scanner.
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Results and Benefits
EnCata delivered a complete set of documentation and produced a TRL-6/7 prototype (manufactured all in-house) including a mould for vacuum forming. Our development passed the design validation tests and user field tests and cleared the client to batch-produce their product (TRL-8).
2.5 m
maximum scan height
42 kg
total product weight
3 cameras
integrated for 3D scanning
Our Role
Conceptual design
Custom PCB electronics
Custom electrics
Full mechanical design with stress and kinematic simulations
DFM (design for manufacturability)
Mould design for vacuum forming
Prototype manufacturing and testing
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