Housing prototypes for echo sounder platform
We are currently supporting Jan Neumann in his project to develop a flexible open source echo sounder platform. He shares his findings and resources online, enabling anyone interested to replicate them for their own purposes.
First of all, we use our SLS 3D printer to help quickly produce initial housing prototypes for testing purposes and shape validation. The process was chosen primarily because of its excellent ability to machine the parts, which saves on material-intensive pressure iterations.
However, since untreated SLS pressure parts do not offer good resistance to moisture due to their open-pored structure, the next step will be to work together to produce housings with optimized impermeability for permanent use under water.
Open source hardware is a highly interesting topic for us, as low-cost digital manufacturing methods and international online services make it possible to reproduce hardware worldwide. Whether for private interest, for research purposes or for commercial purposes:
Open source does not have to be limited to software, and sharing results can greatly accelerate development and validation processes for a wide variety of projects.
