City of Atlanta, Georgia
3D Printed Prototypes and Custom Rotomolds
Case Study: City of Atlanta, GA
Location: City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Project Year: 2023
Product Page: https://www.terracastproducts.com/product/atlanta-clam-shell-base/
Atlanta's aluminum street light bases faced a crisis as thieves relentlessly stole access doors and even entire bases for scrap metal, causing significant damage and maintenance costs. The city took action to resolve this problem by turning to TerraCast® for its cutting-edge 3D printing technology and customized molds for mass production of innovative bases made from resin-based material. TerraCast®'s solution not only ensured the longevity of the street light bases but also preserved the beauty of Atlanta's streets.
The Challenge:
Atlanta was facing a serious problem as it had to deal with both theft and corrosion. Access doors and even entire street light bases were being stolen, which posed a significant threat to the city's infrastructure. The criminals were attracted by the monetary gain from scrap metal, making it necessary to find a comprehensive solution to secure all street light bases. At the same time, the environment was causing the bases to deteriorate quickly, requiring a material overhaul to address the issue at its root.
The Solution:
TerraCast® took on a mission to protect the streets of Atlanta by creating new bases that would replicate the existing ones perfectly while using cutting-edge technology and precise field measurements. The new bases had an added touch - the phrase "No Scrap Value" etched onto the upper collar. Furthermore, we decided to eliminate the access doors that were present in the original design, which were a prime target for thieves. These modifications proved to be an effective deterrent for potential thieves, making it clear that the bases had no value in the scrap market.
To tackle the issue of corrosion, our proprietary blend of LLDPE resin material was used for the production of innovative bases. The use of this high-quality, corrosion-resistant material has proven to be a game-changer, addressing the root cause of base deterioration and ensuring a prolonged life span for these essential components.
The Result:
With the green light from rigorous testing, TerraCast® utilized a rotational molding process to mass-produce these innovative bases, providing Atlanta with a durable, long-term solution. This not only reinstated the security and integrity of the iconic street light bases but also significantly reduced the time and resources required for maintenance and replacements.
The collaboration between TerraCast® and the City of Atlanta highlighted how TerraCast® can help resolve urban infrastructure challenges using advanced technology and innovative materials. By restoring the security and integrity of iconic street light bases, working with TerraCast® saved the city a lot of time and resources that were previously spent on maintenance and replacements.
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