From the PRIMA selection matrix, a manufacturing process can be chosen. As it is not known how many sales the product will have, a smaller batch must be created to minimize the risk of not selling all the products. This initial smaller batch will be of around 500 or less products. This means that the possible options to work with are compression moulding, vacuum forming, and rotational moulding. Each of these processes has its advantages and disadvantages.  

Compression moulding is a good option to use, as the shape of the body can be easily achieved, as well as the back with its screw guiders without having to cut out and waste material. A disadvantage is that the holes in the side, for the magnets to be set in, cannot be done with the mould, as removing the piece would be impossible as parts of the mould would prevent it.  

Vaccum forming is also a good option to create the general shape. Again, it would not be able to make the holes for the magnets as the mold would prevent it from coming out. Also, the hole for the screen to be seen would have to be cut out, adding an extra step and waste of material.  

Lastly, rotational moulding is also a possible option. It would be great if the shape was a whole, as it would make it with a single step, but a screen and electronics must be put inside. Also, like in the other moulds, removing it would be very hard as the part of the mould making the holes for the magnets would prevent it. 

Due to not being able to remove the mold if the outside holes must be made, the process of making the body must be divided into two parts, making the general shape of the body, and adding the holes.  

If we do this, compression moulding is the most suitable production process for both the body and the back cover. For the body, the general shape means the heaxagonal shape without the hole for the magnets, and the secondary process would then be melting holes 5mm diameter with a 3mm depth. For the back, it would be a single process of compression moulding to make the needed shape.  

Another completely different option would be to 3D print both parts, this option would be simpler and cheaper, but most likely, more time-consuming. Depending on the printer that is used, the whole process, with a single printer, would take between 3 weeks and 1.5 months to print 500 body parts and 500 back parts. However, with 10 printers (for example), this could decrease to 2-3 days up to 6 days. Of course, this process with the current machinery for 3d printing, would only be used in the initial batch, as for bigger batches there are more efficient processes.  

 

In the following batches, the quantity of products will hopefully increase, as they get known in the market and more people buy the digital frames. This will mean that there can be a bigger investment made for the compression mould and a different, more expensive, type of mould can be made for making the body. This mould will open in 6 parts, each completely perpendicular to one side of the hexagon. This will allow for the body to be made in a singular process, as the holes are not an issue anymore since the mould pulls directly out without interfering with the part.