Only 90 days in development for distinctive printer

A portfolio of colorful materials from GE Plastics has helped printer manufacturer Tektronix, Inc. create a stunning new printer. Beyond the distinctive aesthetics, the printer is also unusual in its development. By working closely with GE Plastics, Tektronix brought the Phaser 840 Designer Edition printer to market in only 90 days.

Tektronix wanted a printer that would complement the colors used by Apple Computer Inc. in its new line. “We began to work with light-diffused Lexan polycarbonate in GE’s Visualfx portfolio, but we had to create a level of diffusion that selectively hides internal components by using thicker material,” says Stephen Schultz, Phaser 840 product manager at Tektronix.

Tektronix was able to save considerable time getting the product to market by using the existing molds for the standard Phaser 840 printer, even though the parts were changing from a polycarbonate/ABS blend to a material with no ABS at all. The similar melt flows of the two materials helped to achieve good surface cosmetics and manufacturing consistency.

Response to the new printer has been incredible, says Schultz. “Everyone at the show (where the printers were introduced) wanted to look and touch, and just loved the way the printer revealed its inner workings.”

GE Plastics Canada 800/437-5278