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Fast Radius > Case Studies > Manufacturing high-quality parts for high-performing robots

Manufacturing high-quality parts for high-performing robots

Technology Category
  • Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
  • Processors & Edge Intelligence - Embedded & Edge Computers
Applicable Industries
  • Security & Public Safety
Applicable Functions
  • Discrete Manufacturing
  • Product Research & Development
Use Cases
  • Manufacturing System Automation
  • Predictive Maintenance
Services
  • Hardware Design & Engineering Services
  • System Integration
The Challenge
Cobalt Robotics is a company that produces security robots designed to augment human security efforts rather than replace them. The robots are designed to be approachable and warm, making people feel comfortable interacting with them. This necessitated special attention to the cosmetic components of the robots, which are the external parts that humans will see and interact with. Cobalt needed these cosmetic parts to be made exactly to their design specifications. Prior to working with Fast Radius, Cobalt struggled to find a cost-effective supplier that could deliver on the exact specifications of the product.
About The Customer
Cobalt Robotics is a company that produces security robots. Their mission is to make robots that are useful to society. To achieve this, they aim to ensure that every human interaction with their robot is not only useful but positive. Their goal is to move toward a harmonious relationship between machines and humans. To achieve this vision, Cobalt created a very reliable robot that could augment the work of humans in security, rather than replace it. Cobalt’s robots are purposefully designed to not appear humanoid, but because the robot operates in spaces where humans work and live, it was important that the machine still exude an approachability and warmth that would make people feel comfortable interacting with it.
The Solution
Cobalt partnered with Fast Radius to manufacture the critical cosmetic parts of their robots using urethane casting. Fast Radius provided fast response times, ongoing communication, and advanced manufacturing expertise across different processes. They advised that new CNC master patterns would be more accurate than Cobalt’s original FDM ones, resolving previous fitment issues and coming up with a more cost-effective way of producing cast urethane molds for the parts. Fast Radius also went through multiple rounds of sample production and feedback to ensure the parts met Cobalt's high quality standards. In addition, Fast Radius managed all the logistics of the project, shipping parts quickly and easily across the globe thanks to their partnership with UPS.
Operational Impact
  • Fast Radius provided dedicated service from manufacturing experts, meeting Cobalt’s need for speed and agility.
  • Fast Radius demonstrated a commitment to quality, going through multiple rounds of sample production and feedback to ensure the parts met Cobalt's high quality standards.
  • Fast Radius made logistics easy, managing all aspects of the project and shipping parts quickly and easily across the globe.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Fast Radius reduced Cobalt's cost to manufacture urethane parts by 62 percent.
  • Fast Radius reduced Cobalt's cost for painting and finishing by 90 percent.
  • Fast Radius reduced Cobalt's cost for 3D printing by 33 percent.

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