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Functional Prototyping with NICE Recovery

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Functional Prototyping with NICE Recovery

NICE Recovery ROCC - Additive manufacturing technologies stereolithography and multi-jet fusion functional prototyping.
NICE Recovery ROCC - Additive manufacturing technologies stereolithography and multi-jet fusion functional prototyping.
NICE Recovery ROCC - Additive manufacturing technologies stereolithography and multi-jet fusion functional prototyping.

NICE Recovery grabs market awareness with functional prototyping of the NICE ROCC.

At Prototek Digital Manufacturing, we’re proud to collaborate with Nice Recovery on their ROCC’s functional prototyping project. As a leading provider of advanced manufacturing services, we’re excited to leverage our expertise in additive manufacturing to bring their innovative design to life.

About NICE Recovery

NICE Recovery Systems was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur and skier Micheal Ross. After a high-speed crash ended his ski racing career, Michael developed the NICE1 cold compressing therapy system, which provides personalized therapy without the need for ice. The system received FDA approval in December 2014 and quickly gained recognition among orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers, and professional athletes. The NICE1 is proudly made in Bolder, CO.

About the NICE ROCC

The palms of your hands have unique blood vessels called arterio-venous anastomoses (AVAs) that can directly cool the blood and local muscles. The ROCC is a remarkable device that can precisely cool the palms of your hands without requiring ice, water, or an electrical outlet. It is cold enough to remove significant heat from your body but not so cold that it causes vasoconstriction. It weighs about two kg, can run for over two hours on a single charge, and is the world’s only device of its kind.

NICE Recovery ROCC functional prototyping.

The Project - Functional Prototyping

Prototek is proud to have played a crucial role in the successful collaboration with NICE Recovery. Together, we created functional prototypes during the design-to-verification process of making the NICE Recovery ROCC. Working closely with NICE Recovery’s engineers and design team, we assisted them using our stereolithography and multi-jet fusion equipment. The materials used were Accura® ABS Black and HP PA12. The goal was to achieve injection-molded-like 3D prints. Our finishing team completed the prototype using a mixture of standard post-processing techniques, including smoothing, sealing, and dyeing the components.

Parts created with stereolithography and multi-jet fusion.

Technologies and Materials used for Functional Prototyping

Technology: Stereolithography

Stereolithography (SLA) is a type of 3D printing technology that uses photopolymerization to create solid objects. This process involves using an ultraviolet-sensitive liquid resin that polymerizes into a solid material when exposed to a UV laser. The laser selectively cures the part, layer by layer, to create the desired shape.

OEM:

3D Systems and Stratasys

Lead Time:

1 – 2 Days

Max Build Area:

31 x 31 x 23 in

Tolerances:

First Inch ± 0.005 in

Add. Inches ± 0.0015 in/in

Material: Accura® ABS Black

Accura® ABS Black is a multi-purpose stereolithography material offering a balanced property profile, good flexibility, shock absorption, and the possibility of printing tiny structures with a high level of detail.

Tensile Strength:

6,525 – 6,815 psi

Tensile Modulus:

274 – 354 ksi

Elongation at Break:

6 – 13%

Flexural Strength:

10,875 – 11,310 psi

Flexural Modulus:

328 -344 ksi

Heat Deflection at 66 psi:

124° F

Technology: Multi-Jet Fusion

The HP multi-jet fusion 3D printer uses an advanced additive manufacturing process with powdered thermoplastic material, liquid agent, and infrared energy to create functional nylon prototypes and end-use parts. It excels in producing precise brackets, connectors, hinges, housings, and thin-wal ductwork and is ideal for crafting intricate details in large quantities. 

OEM:

HP

Lead Time:

2 – 4 Days

Max Build Area:

14.96 x 11.18 x 14.96 in

Tolerances:

First Inch ± 0.010 in

Add. Inches ± 0.003 in/in

Material: HP Nylon 12

The HP Nylon 12 is a high-performance multi-jet fusion material known for its exceptional strength, versatility, and durability. This nylon powder also offers excellent long-term stability and high chemical resistance, making it ideal for various industrial and commercial applications.

Tensile Strength:

6,960 psi

Tensile Modulus:

247 ksi

Elongation at Break:

20%

Flexural Strength:

9,425 psi

Flexural Modulus:

251 ksi

Heat Deflection at 66 psi:

347° F

The Results - Functional Prototyping

The NICE Recovery ROCC debuted at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth competition as part of the Shaw Classic in Loveland, CO. It provides precise and significant heat to your body without causing vasoconstriction. The ROCC does not require ice, water, or an electrical outlet. It weighs about 2 kg and can run for more than two hours on a single charge, which is essential when facing challenges such as deadlifts, overhead medleys, keg toss, manhood stones, squat lifts, wheelbarrow and arm-over-arm medleys, dumbbell medleys, and Fingal’s fingers and power stairs medleys.

NICE Recovery ROCC's functional protoype made its debut at the Strongest Man on Earth competition.
NICE Recovery ROCC

Working with Prototek

If you’re looking for a reliable partner to assist you throughout the design and production process, look no further than Prototek. We specialize in production-grade components and offer various services, including additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, silicone/urethane/wax casting, and injection molding. Our team works across multiple industries daily.

Are you ready to start your project?

The content on this blog post is for informational purposes only. Prototek does not make any declaration or guarantee, whether expressed or implied, regarding the information’s accuracy, completeness, or validity. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be assumed to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or us. It’s crucial to note that buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for their project.

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