Lampix: An Augmented Reality Projector for Businesses
Lampix is an augmented reality projector in a lamp form-factor that can transform any flat surface into a dynamic AR display. The beta product contains a projector, camera and cloud-connected computer and leverages computer vision algorithms to identify real-world objects and project onto them.
The Lampix team is based in New York, San Francisco, and Brasov, Romania and led by CEO George Popescu and CTO Mihai Dumitrescu. George is an MIT alumni with an impressive three masters degrees in computer science, electrical engineering and nanosciences, while Mihai brings deep experience in machine learning, neural networks, and computer vision from his own software development firm, Rosoftlab.
The Challenge: A Lean Hardware Team
The majority of Lampix’s resources are focused on software development rather than hardware, since the heart of its technology lies in machine learning and machine vision. For Hardware Lead Dzmitry Varhan, this meant he had to be very hands-on in both engineering and supply chain management activities which was time consuming.
“There was not much infrastructure support for hardware,” said Varhan. “I was the one who had to reach out to different suppliers, vet them and build out a network step by step.”
“It was definitely helpful to have Fictiv manage relationships with the overseas injection molding manufacturer since we had a small hardware team”
It was also challenging to find manufacturers who were willing to produce lower volume injection molding runs.
“We were doing a 500 unit run, which meant we weren’t the focus for many manufacturers,” said Varhan. “It was challenging to find suppliers with strong communication skills and quality management systems that were willing to work with us.”
Partnering with Fictiv for Supply Chain Management & Manufacturing Expertise
Varhan came across Fictiv after discovering the wealth of content resources available for hardware engineers.
“Fictiv has a great website with tons of interesting content for people like me looking to learn new things,” said Varhan.
Varhan considered working with Protolabs for injection molding, but Fictiv was able to match Protolabs’ lead time and beat their price. Additionally, Fictiv provided detailed manufacturability feedback for injection molding during the quoting process.
“The experience was really great,” said Varhan. “Fictiv’s team in China provided me with a full DFM report with really specific, well organized comments, which I was able to review with Fictiv’s technical team based in San Francisco and then make revisions on my designs.”
Fictiv was able to match Lampix with a vetted injection molding manufacturing partner in China to deliver T1 samples in just 21 days.
“It was definitely helpful to have Fictiv manage relationships with the overseas injection molding manufacturer since we had a small hardware team,” said Varhan.
Injection Molding Part Design Features
Recessed undercuts
The Lampix parts required use of lifters and sliders to manufacture recessed undercuts in the parts, which increases the tooling complexity.
Flame-retardant material
Fictiv was able to help the team select a UL-94-rated, flame-retardant, premium ABS material appropriate for the design requirements.
Heat staked inserts
To streamline manufacturing, Fictiv works with manufacturers that can perform injection molding and post-processing services in the same facility. These parts included heat staked inserts.
EMI coating
Two of the Lampix parts required a special electromagnetic interference (EMI) coating. Fictiv was able to source a factory with experience working with this type of special coating, which helped the Lampix team pass the EMI certification.
“Fictiv has great pricing, great communication and they provide you with everything you need in terms of manufacturing and design feedback.”
