Making Waves: Hansgrohe Saves 80% on Prototyping Costs with the Neo450 Stereolithography 3D Printer

The Solution

Stereolithography 3D Printing with Neo®

Hansgrohe invested in a Neo450 stereolithography 3D printer from Stratasys. Driven by the need for larger parts with high strength and superior surface quality, as well as speed and accuracy of the printed part, the Neo was the clear winner when the team compared the leading 3D printers on the market.

Hansgrohe's research and development team uses Neo mainly for jigs and fixtures and for functional prototyping, and Somos® WaterShed Black is the ideal material for most prints as it offers a smooth surface as well as higher moisture resistance and a 50% faster processing speed than alternative black resins. Parts can be quickly and accurately tested for properties such as pressure, sound and water flow, allowing engineers to identify problems and refine their designs.

Shower heads are one of Hansgrohe's main products, and they frequently iterate and refine prototypes to stay at the forefront of the industry. The ability to prototype large parts like rain showerheads accurately and quickly has brought significant benefits to the team's development process.