VEXSL
VEXSL provides organization and implementation of complex operations while focusing on security and quality assurance throughout the movements of climate sensitive, high risk and high value products.
The company contacted Iron Light to design, engineer and produce prototypes of a custom packaging system.
Product Development
Production
Highlights
- Designed an integrated packaging system
- 3D printed prototype components
VEXSL or Veteran Express Secure Logistics is a Canadian company focused on providing transportation and logistic services to the cannabin industry in the Canadian provinces.
One of the cornerstones of the value proposition is a custom packaging solution that is used for the secure storage and transport of cannabis product. This storage system was required to be durable, lockable, nest-able and made with plant based polymers with a specific target of hemp plastics.
The company founder reached out to Iron Light to develop the initial packaging prototypes based on their internal design concepts and then create the first prototype units for review and trials.
The project began with initial design consultation and a hand drawn images of what the base ideas for the system would look like. Once those drawings were received, the 3D modelling was able to be conducted. After each design iteration, a meeting was held with VEXSL to review the design in both size, look and functional features. After the rendered designs were approved, they were taken to the 3D printer for prototyping.
3 designs were printed starting with a 0.25 scale which allowed for more rapid prototyping while still being able to uncover potential design flaws. Multiple design problems were uncovered at this stage and the following stage of a 0.40 scale. These problems were quickly and easily remedied within the design software and new prototypes were quickly made on the 3D printers. Video calls were utilized to review the 3D printed prototypes with the prototypes being shipped to VEXSL as the final step.
The final design at full scale was printed over the course of 8 consecutive days of printing. Each main component had to be subdivided into smaller parts (up to 6 parts coming from 1 component). All the parts were fusion welded together to achieve the final design concept.
The Alpha prototype was completed and various design concepts have been selected for inclusion into the Beta Prototype with will have enhanced features for security, traceability and quality assurance.