We were delighted to collaborate on the implementation of the RAMONA prototype for Promete, a spin-off company of the National Institute for Physics of the Matter (INFM-CNR), which operates in the field of innovation and technology transfer.
RAMONA is a device for detecting Radon, a radioactive gas that, at high concentrations in closed places, is also extremely risky for human health. The prototype version was conceived, realized and then tested in the laboratories of the Institute of Nuclear Physics at Federico II University in Naples.
For the RAMONA product development, Promete has chosen industrial design as a design leader to make a science-based tool for research activity a more commercially available tool for its ease of transport and usage thanks to its compact design and Resistant also for field applications.
The current version of RAMONA consists of 3 volumes: the room, the control unit and an electric pump. The main difficulty in designing has been to combine in one volume the three functional blocks of which the measurement chamber is the most articulated part. The inside of the semisphere is metallized for high voltage and is isolated from light and moisture, while allowing the air intake from the outside for easy diffusion or suction.
The first RAMONA prototype was made of SLA resin technology for the room, while the other components were made of nylon ABS material and 100-150 micron precision FDM i technology. The second prototype was made entirely in FDM and nylon-ABS at 300 micron.
After the first two prototyping experiences with technologies such as SLA, nylon-ABS, FDM 100 to 300 microns, we collaborated to realize the third prototype; For Promete it was necessary to use a material with characteristics similar to those of the Acetale, and amongst the various alternatives our proposal was to use the Accura XTreme Plastic (gray color) Resin Stereolithography that simulates ABS features for testing Indoor. For outdoor testing, the solution we have proposed has been to produce parts with castings from silicone replicas to have as much detail as polyethylene.
“The use of rapid prototyping technologies and Coesum consulting has been fundamental in the phases of the RAMONA development process and to overcome the first steps of ongoing test phases.”
Thanks to Promete staff for making us into this interesting project.
