Customer
Nasco Healthcare
Headquarters
Saugerties, New York
Industry
Medical Device
Employees
201 - 500
For over 30 years, Nasco Healthcare has been a pioneer in manufacturing lifelike full-body patient care simulators and handling trainers. Their simulators are designed for healthcare professionals, EMTs, and first responders to master critical skills in life-saving procedures and patient care. From resuscitation techniques to extrication from hazardous environments, Nasco Healthcare’s simulators prepare frontline healthcare workers to Be READY® for the emergencies they face every day. One of their most renowned products, Rescue Randy, is a full-body trainer that has become a staple in fire and rescue training worldwide. Whether used for lifeguard services or firefighter rescues, Nasco Healthcare’s trainers are essential for hands-on practice in scenarios that are too dangerous or uncomfortable for human volunteers.
As the demand for more lifelike, modular trainers grew, Nasco Healthcare realized they needed a solution to streamline production and introduce greater flexibility. Customizing manikins to meet specific training needs—whether it be adjusting weight, adding scars, or modifying features—became increasingly complex.
In 2019, Chris Pohlman, a key figure in Nasco Healthcare’s development team, pushed for the adoption of 3D printing technology. Having successfully used Stratasys printers for years, Chris advocated for both internal development and outsourcing this critical task to Stratasys Direct. This greatly benefited development times as well as other departments internally
Nasco Healthcare found the perfect strategic partner in SDM, a leader in additive manufacturing
services. “SDM has been top-notch—a surefire solution for us,” says Chris. “If you want it
done right, you go to Stratasys Direct.” Nasco Healthcare trusted SDM’s precision and ability to
deliver exceptional results, especially for producing complex, modular manikins that can be tailored for
specific training needs.
Using SLA (Stereolithography) technology, Stratasys Direct helps Nasco Healthcare create the master patterns used in their mold-making process. After an initial design process involving clay sculpting headed by Giovanni Zorloza, a comprehensive 3D scanning workflow pioneered by engineer Nicholas Dennis, and extensive mold preparations made by Steve Thomas, the SLA 3D printed models undergo nickel plating to form durable molds. These molds serve as the foundation for producing full-body trainers that simulate the exact challenges faced in rescue situations.
Stratasys Direct’s responsiveness and expertise have been vital to Nasco Healthcare’s production workflow. “They provide clear, concise deliverables,” says Chris. “We know when we go with a print, it’ll be taken care of.” With Stratasys, Nasco Healthcare is able to quickly pivot and make adaptations to their trainers, ensuring they meet diverse needs -from newborn to adult mannequins, and even canine units for K9 rescue training.
Since partnering with Stratasys Direct, Nasco Healthcare has seen significant improvements in their production process. With modularity at the core of their designs, they can now easily customize trainers for different weight classes and conditions. The use of SLA technology, combined with SDM’s reliable post-processing and inspection methods, has streamlined their mold-making process, reducing lead times and increasing efficiency. What once took months to prototype and adapt can now be done in a fraction of the time, giving Nasco Healthcare the agility to meet urgent training demands. Nasco Healthcare’s collaboration with Stratasys Direct has been instrumental in maintaining their position as a leader in medical and rescue simulation training. By leveraging 3D printing and advanced manufacturing techniques, they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in lifelike patient care training. As Chris puts it, “When we need it done right, we know who to call.”
To learn more about Nasco Healthcare, visit www.nascohealthcare.com