Xyplex asked Robert DeFelice & Associates (RDA) to design a sleek, sophisticated image for its new Network 900 Networking Hub, a mid-plane, hot-swappable architecture.  This award-winning system (PC Magazine and Digital News & Review) was configured as 3-slot, one power supply modules that could be stacked to any height as desktop or mounted in standard 19-inch  racks.

 

"We interviewed four industrial design firms and paid each one to create one Hub concept to show us how they might design our system.  We selected DeFelice & Associates because we liked their concept, they offered full engineering support and their consulting fee was less," said the Xyplex program manager.

 

Our sleek solution for Xyplex included a vertical bevel that visually liked each front component from the injection molded (left) power supply to the custom injection molded PCB ejectors with their distinctive, curved finger grips that encased each extruded aluminum PCB bezel and created an appealing pattern across the front of each stack.  The power supply's bezel included an integrated handle for easy removal.  The overall enclosure was efficient sheet steel.

 

We provided a complete package of handsome styling, mechanical engineering for the injection molded power supply bezel and ejectors, extruded aluminum PCB bezels, sheet metal cover and related sheet metal parts, packaging of internal components including EMI shielding, COTS components, DFMA documentation and vendor recommendations.