DMLS Materials - Technical Specifications

C A S E S T U D Y
Ian
Helmore, a water treatment
specialist, used our SLS services to
produce prototype components for his latest
invention; Steri-Spray®, which appeared on
Dragon’s Den; BBC TWO’s business venture
capitalist programme.
During routine water testing at a hospital Ian detected
a positive Legionella sample on one of the showers.
The hospital had to take all 50 of their showers
out of service for two weeks and Ian felt this was
unacceptable. As a result he invented the Steri-Spray®
range of showers.
During its development, Ian needed to prototype
his design in order to assemble and test it, as well
as presenting an aesthetic model of it to potential
investors. He therefore used our Rapid Prototyping
expertise to obtain prototypes using Selective Laser
Sintering (SLS) technology. Over 20 individual
components that make up the shower system
were produced in Nylon, including inserts, tubes,
back plates, covers, connectors and the shower rose
itself. Our specialist team then expertly finished and
painted the parts, making them look like the final
manufactured product.
Ian was able to demonstrate the concept to the
Dragons; a panel of 5 successful multi-millionaire
business people. His pitch was for a £145,000
investment for a 10% stake in his potentially lifesaving
invention. Theo Paphitis was willing to split
the deal with Deborah Meaden, and Ian secured the
www.3trpd.co.uk
full £145,000 investment for 40%
of his business shared between the
two Dragons.
This investment meant that Steri-
Spray® could move toward production
within a very short period of time.
More importantly, Deborah and
Theo’s invaluable business experience
will assist Ian in making Steri-Spray®
become a worldwide commercial
brand name.
“Ian Helmore says “The laser sintering process at 3T was new to
me and just what was required to prove that our expensive tooling
for Steri-Spray was going to be correct prior to ordering it. I was
given a first rate, personal service from the moment I sent the files,
to when I received the final finished products. The finishing process
was absolutely superb and done with such attention to detail
”
that people think they are the actual manufactured products.”