4D Insights

This case study unveils a practical application of embedded innovation, highlighting the process and outcomes of upgrading legacy systems in a technology-focused product line. Through strategic technological integration, the project not only uplifted product performance but also markedly improved customer satisfaction levels. The subsequent pages delve into various strategic and operational enhancements made, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the concrete impacts and subtleties involved in a real-world, engineer-led embedded innovation initiative. A testament to blending traditional systems with modern innovation.

Duratec, specializing in liquid handling devices for various industries, aimed to simplify the control interfaces of their new product line. Partnering with 4D Systems, they integrated a touch display module enhancing user-centricity and operational efficiency. This transition replaced outdated control panels with an intuitive, modern interface without compromising on control capabilities via the RS232 interface. Three new devices were launched, improving user interactions through user-friendly touch displays, showcasing Duratec's commitment to innovation. This collaboration allowed for more straightforward control, monitoring, and interaction with Duratec's devices, ensuring a better user experience and meeting industry demands.

In the challenging process of creating an advanced 3D printer, BCN3D encountered an unexpected difficulty: finding an appropriate, user-friendly display module. Despite initial struggles, BCN3D discovered the solution in 4D Systems’ gen4 display modules. These modules offered superior resolution, processing power, and flexibility. Key to BCN3D's decision was the modules' easy integration via a serial connection and the Arduino-compatible library into their firmware. For its Sigma R17 3D printer, BCN3D upgraded to the gen4-ULCD-35DCT-CLB, a 3.5-inch Intelligent TFT-LCD display module with capacitive touch, further enhancing the user experience. The gen4 series of intelligent display modules perfectly matched BCN3D's requirements, offering innovative solutions in the sophisticated 3D printing space.

JAC, a leading industrial machinery manufacturer, collaborated with 4D Systems to provide interactive display units for their commercial bakery products, JAC Varia and JAC Tradilevain. JAC required a durable, high-quality and visually appealing screen capable of integrating all adjustment settings for their adjustable slice-thickness bread slicers. Adrien Craeninckx, CEO at JAC, stressed the need for both technical adjustments and user-varied parameters through the graphical interface. While JAC had an older 7-inch display from 4D Systems, they needed a solid, high-resolution but smaller display that could be easily integrated and quickly programmed by their R&D team.