Breaking It Down: Live Keypad Teardown and Design Insights with Autodesk
Summary
In this exclusive webinar hosted by Xometry’s Greg Paulsen and Autodesk Fusion's Jonathan Odom take a deep dive into the second revision of the macro keypad developed for Autodesk University's Factory Experience 2024. This webinar features a live teardown of the keypad, showcasing how the design team addressed challenges and elevated the product with:
→ Enhanced industrial design
→ Improved fitment and tolerance stack management
→ Simplified assembly processes
→ Reduced carbon footprint in manufacturing
→ Optimized DFM (Design for Manufacturing) for each component
Discover the design decisions and engineering strategies that drove these improvements and gain actionable insights to apply to your projects. The session concludes with a live Q&A, where participants asked Greg and Jonathan about the design and manufacturing process.
Key Takeaways
✔ Manufacturing process and material considerations for electromechanical design
✔ Solutions for tolerance stacking and fitment challenges in product design
✔ Techniques for reducing manufacturing complexity and carbon footprint
✔ Best practices for optimizing DFM and assembly workflows
✔ Behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration between Xometry and Autodesk
Questions and Answers from the Webinar
How quickly can Xometry go from part submission to DFM to injection molded parts?
Part submission is instant, just upload your file to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine and select Injection molding from the process dropdown! Our team will work with you to understand your project requirements and provide a lead time for T1 samples. During the process, you can access your Tool Details page to track milestones and timelines.
What is the industry standard for surface finish on injection molded parts and where can we find examples?
Unless otherwise specified, an injection molded part will typically have an SPI B-2 default finish to enable better part release from the mold and remove tool marks. We recommend reviewing our article on injection molding finishes to see examples of the most common SPI and VDI finishes.
What is the main difference between Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360?
There is a lot of overlap between both programs, but there are some key differences. Inventor is PC only, whereas fusion is Mac or PC. Fusion has a full electronics suite and CAM package built-in and is automatically connected to the cloud for enhanced collaboration and revision control. Inventor is better suited for large complex assemblies with tons of parts. You'll also want to use Inventor if your project has restrictions like ITAR control, as Fusion is not approved for such projects since it is entirely cloud-based.
Is it possible to incorporate fool-proof features on your mating components to create room for easy assembly without making mistakes?
Yes! In the industry, we refer to this as the "poka-yoke" technique. Essentially it means designing components so it's difficult or impossible to put things together the wrong way. An example of this would be the post on the hub of a car wheel which makes it so the hub can only be oriented one way. The macro keypad was designed with features like this to help event attendees assemble their keypads correctly.
On the top clear plastic, there are four screw bosses. There are rib features that connect the bosses to the perimeter frame. What is the purpose of the ribs on these thread bosses?
The ribs connecting the screw bosses to the walls are there primarily to brace them. Without the ribs, the boss would be easily bent which could cause it to become damaged or break. Ribs also help the molten plastic flow during the molding process and keep the design uniform, which prevents molding defects.
Is the macro keypad project open source?
Yes! You can find the project files by visiting this link: https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360/factory-experience
Are the keycap models available for download so I can print my own?
Yes, the design is in the fusion file here: https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360/factory-experience
Do you offer robotic assembly?
We are happy to review your project! We offer electromechanical, cable & harness assembly, along with physical and functional testing.
Design Guide: Injection Molding
