Cascade lacrosse customer service. Cascade Lacrosse: Revolutionizing Helmet Design with 3D Printing Technology

How does Cascade Lacrosse use 3D printing to innovate in helmet design. What materials and techniques are employed in their prototyping process. How has 3D printing technology impacted Cascade’s product development and market leadership.

The Evolution of Lacrosse Helmet Design: Cascade’s Innovative Approach

Cascade Lacrosse, the world-leading producer of lacrosse helmets, has embraced cutting-edge technology to maintain its position at the forefront of the industry. By incorporating industrial-grade LulzBot 3D printers into their design process, Cascade has revolutionized the way they approach product development and prototyping.

The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in their latest offering, the Cascade XRS Pro Custom Lacrosse Helmet. This highly customizable helmet allows players to personalize various components, including the shell, jawbone, chin piece, mask, chin strap, visor, mohawk, and rear panel. With a base price of $329.99, players can create a truly unique helmet that reflects their style and preferences.

3D Printing: The Game-Changer in Lacrosse Helmet Manufacturing

Cascade Lacrosse’s decision to incorporate 3D printing technology into their production process has had a significant impact on their ability to innovate and bring new ideas to market quickly. Chris Laurita, product developer at Cascade Lacrosse, explains the company’s choice of LulzBot 3D printers: “The LulzBot 3D Printers brand name kept coming up as an industry leader in quality and customer service when doing research. The ability to print flexible material using its Flexystruder Tool Head made choosing the LulzBot TAZ 3D Printer an easy decision for us.”

Key Benefits of 3D Printing in Helmet Design

• Rapid prototyping of flexible parts
• Improved internal processes
• Accelerated innovation in the industry
• Enhanced product quality and player safety

Can 3D printing really improve the design process for sports equipment? The answer is a resounding yes. By utilizing two LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers with Cura LulzBot Edition software, Cascade Lacrosse has streamlined their prototyping process, particularly for flexible components. This technology allows them to quickly iterate and test new designs, ensuring that their helmets meet the highest standards of safety and comfort.

Materials and Techniques: The Science Behind Cascade’s 3D Printed Prototypes

Cascade Lacrosse’s choice of materials for 3D printing is crucial to their success. The company primarily uses filaments from the NinjaFlex line, known for their flexibility and durability. This material choice allows Cascade to create prototypes that accurately mimic the properties of the final product.

Laurita elaborates on their use of 3D printing technology: “Any part on our helmet that is flexed or needs some squish to it gets printed on one of our LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers with a Flexystruder Tool Head.” This approach enables Cascade to test and refine the ergonomics and performance of their helmets before moving to full-scale production.

The NinjaFlex Advantage

1. Exceptional flexibility
2. High durability
3. Accurate representation of final product properties
4. Compatibility with LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers

Pushing Boundaries: Cascade’s Impact on Women’s Lacrosse Equipment

How has 3D printing technology influenced Cascade’s product range? The introduction of the Cascade LX helmet for women’s lacrosse is a prime example of how the company has leveraged this technology to redefine equipment categories. By utilizing 3D printing in their design process, Cascade has been able to create innovative products that cater to the specific needs of female lacrosse players.

The success of the Cascade LX has not only solidified the company’s position in the women’s lacrosse market but has also opened doors for collaboration with sister companies such as Easton Baseball, BAUER Hockey, and Maverik. This cross-pollination of ideas and technologies across different sports equipment manufacturers has the potential to drive innovation across multiple disciplines.

Customization and Player Experience: The Cascade XRS Pro Custom Lacrosse Helmet

The Cascade XRS Pro Custom Lacrosse Helmet exemplifies the company’s commitment to player customization and performance. With a wide range of options for each component, players can create a helmet that not only meets their safety needs but also reflects their personal style.

Customizable Components of the Cascade XRS Pro

• Shell: Available in various colors, including metallic and matte finishes
• Jawbone: Options in black, white, and grey
• Chin piece: Multiple color choices to match or contrast with the shell
• Mask: Available in chrome, pearl, and standard finishes
• Chin strap: Color options to complement the overall design
• Visor, Mohawk, and Rear Panel: Customizable decals in various colors
• Optional goalie throat piece for additional protection

Is customization just about aesthetics, or does it serve a functional purpose? While the visual appeal of a custom helmet is undeniable, the ability to tailor each component can also contribute to improved fit, comfort, and potentially even performance. By allowing players to choose specific materials and colors for different parts of the helmet, Cascade ensures that each athlete can optimize their equipment for their individual needs and preferences.

The Future of Lacrosse Equipment: 3D Printing and Beyond

As Cascade Lacrosse continues to push the boundaries of helmet design and manufacturing, the role of 3D printing technology is likely to expand. The company’s success with prototyping flexible parts suggests that we may see even more innovative features in future helmet designs.

Will 3D printing eventually be used for full-scale production of lacrosse helmets? While current technology is primarily used for prototyping, advancements in 3D printing materials and techniques could potentially lead to the production of customized, small-batch helmets tailored to individual players or teams. This level of personalization could revolutionize not only lacrosse but sports equipment manufacturing as a whole.

Potential Future Applications of 3D Printing in Lacrosse Equipment

1. Customized padding and impact absorption systems
2. Integrated sensor technology for performance tracking
3. Biomechanically optimized designs for individual players
4. Rapid production of replacement parts
5. On-demand manufacturing of limited edition or special event helmets

Collaboration and Cross-Industry Innovation: Cascade’s Wider Impact

Cascade Lacrosse’s success with 3D printing technology has implications beyond the lacrosse field. The company’s collaborations with sister companies in baseball and hockey demonstrate the potential for cross-pollination of ideas and technologies across different sports.

How might Cascade’s innovations influence other sports equipment manufacturers? The use of flexible 3D printed prototypes could be adapted for designing protective gear in other contact sports, such as football or ice hockey. Additionally, the customization options offered by Cascade could inspire similar approaches in other sports, leading to a new era of personalized equipment.

Potential Areas of Cross-Sport Innovation

• Improved impact absorption technologies
• Advanced ventilation systems for helmets and protective gear
• Lightweight yet durable materials for enhanced performance
• Customization options for professional and amateur athletes
• Integration of smart technologies for performance tracking and safety monitoring

As Cascade Lacrosse continues to leverage 3D printing technology in their design and prototyping processes, the company is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the lacrosse equipment industry. Their innovative approach not only benefits lacrosse players but also has the potential to drive advancements in sports equipment design across multiple disciplines.

The Cascade XRS Pro Custom Lacrosse Helmet stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, customization, and player safety. As 3D printing technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking designs and features in future lacrosse helmets and other sports equipment.

By embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering collaborations across different sports, Cascade Lacrosse is not just creating better helmets – they’re shaping the future of sports equipment manufacturing. As athletes and coaches look for every possible advantage on the field, companies like Cascade will play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports technology and design.

Cascade XRS Pro Custom Lacrosse Helmet

side

front

top

SHELL

JAWBONE

CHIN

MASK

STRAP

VISOR

MOHAWK

REAR

$329.99

Shell

— Please Select –Athletic Gold 124CBlackBrown 476CCarbon +$80.00Carolina Blue 2905CGold 872CGreen 350CHopkins Blue 279CMaroon 505CMatte Black +$40.00Matte Navy +$40.00Matte Gray +$40.00Matte Forest Green +$40.00Metallic Gold +$80.00Metallic Gunmetal +$80.00Metallic Orange +$80.00Metallic Red +$80.00Navy Blue 282COrange 173CPlatinum +$80.00Royal Blue 285CScarlet Red 187CSilver 877CWhite Shell

Jawbone

— Please Select –BlackWhiteGrey 424C Jawbone

Chin

— Please Select –Athletic Gold 124CBlackCarolina Blue 2905CCobalt Blue 286CGold 872CGreen 350CHopkins Blue 279CLime 802CMaroon 505CNavy Blue 282COrange 173CPurple 2685CRoyal Blue 285CScarlet Red 187CSilver 877CWhiteYellow 107C Chin

Mask

— Please Select –BlackChrome +$30. 00Royal Blue Chrome +$30.00Forest Chrome +$30.00Red Chrome +$30.00White Pearl +$30.00Orange Pearl +$30.00Purple Pearl +$30.00Gold Pearl +$30.00 Mask

Chin Strap

— Please Select –BlackWhiteRoyal Blue 285C +$4.95Scarlet Red 187C +$4.95Orange 173C +$4.95Athletic Gold 124C +$4.95Forest Green 350C +$4.95 Chin Strap

Visor

— Please Select –No DecalAthletic Gold 124C +$2.95Black +$2.95Carolina Blue 2905C +$2.95Cobalt Blue 286C +$2.95Gold 872C +$2.95Green 350C +$2.95Hopkins Blue 279C +$2.95Maroon 505C +$2.95Navy Blue 282C +$2.95Orange 173C +$2.95Purple 2685C +$2.95Royal Blue 285C +$2.95Scarlet Red 187C +$2.95Silver 877C +$2.95White +$2.95Yellow 107C +$2.95 Visor

Mohawk

— Please Select –No DecalAthletic Gold 124C +$2.95Black +$2.95Carolina Blue 2905C +$2.95Cobalt Blue 286C +$2.95Gold 872C +$2.95Green 350C +$2.95Hopkins Blue 279C +$2. 95Maroon 505C +$2.95Navy Blue 282C +$2.95Orange 173C +$2.95Purple 2685C +$2.95Royal Blue 285C +$2.95Scarlet Red 187C +$2.95Silver 877C +$2.95White +$2.95Yellow 107C +$2.95 Mohawk

Rear Panel

— Please Select –No DecalAthletic Gold 124C +$2.95Black +$2.95Carolina Blue 2905C +$2.95Cobalt Blue 286C +$2.95Gold 872C +$2.95Green 350C +$2.95Hopkins Blue 279C +$2.95Maroon 505C +$2.95Navy Blue 282C +$2.95Orange 173C +$2.95Purple 2685C +$2.95Royal Blue 285C +$2.95Scarlet Red 187C +$2.95Silver 877C +$2.95White +$2.95Yellow 107C +$2.95 Rear Panel

Goalie Throat Piece

— Please Select –NoneClear +$30.00 Goalie Throat Piece

Cascade Custom Processing Time

— Please Select –3-5 Days Cascade Custom Processing Time

This item is excluded from discounts, sales, and promotions

Please allow an additional 2 to 3 Days to process orders for this item. This item will ship separately from other items in your order.

Please allow an additional 2 to 3 business days to process orders for this item.

Video

This is What 3D Printing Looks Like for the Leading Lacrosse Company

A retail-ready men’s helmet made by Cascade Lacrosse, the world-leading producer of lacrosse helmets. [Full Image]

As the world-leading producer of lacrosse helmets, Cascade Lacrosse uses industrial-grade LulzBot 3D Printers to stay on top and bring new ideas to market quickly. Reliable prototype production techniques have not only improved internal processes, but also enabled Cascade Lacrosse to drive innovation in the industry while producing high-quality products that keep players safe and comfortable.

“The LulzBot 3D Printers brand name kept coming up as an industry leader in quality and customer service when doing research,” Chris Laurita, product developer at Cascade Lacrosse, said. “The ability to print flexible material using its Flexystruder Tool Head made choosing the LulzBot TAZ 3D Printer an easy decision for us. ”

Cascade Lacrosse uses two LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers with Cura LulzBot Edition primarily for prototyping flexible parts. Their materials of choice are filaments from the NinjaTek line, such as NinjaFlex, for functionality and durability.

“Any part on our helmet that is flexed or needs some squish to it gets printed on one of our LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers with a Flexystruder Tool Head,” Laurita said.

Adding LulzBot 3D Printers to the prototyping process supports Cascade Lacrosse as they develop new products and stay in the lead. They redefined the category of women’s lacrosse equipment with the introduction of the Cascade LX, and they are using 3D printing to push the category even further.

Their success has also opened the door to collaboration for sister companies Easton Baseball, BAUER Hockey, and Maverik Lacrosse, with Cascade engineers sharing their knowledge across the organization.

In terms of the user experience with LulzBot 3D Printers, Cascade Lacrosse appreciates the readily available technical support and the longevity of the machines.

“The couple times that we have had issues with our LulzBot 3D Printers it has always been easy to get customer support on the line and walk through the issues at hand,” Laurita said. “Our LulzBot 3D Printers have been running almost continuously for the last year.”

The benefit of LulzBot 3D Printers to Cascade Lacrosse’s product development has been tremendous. Ideas are generated faster and within a cost-effective framework. That speed is key with lacrosse being one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

“Payback-wise, printing functional flexible parts on our LulzBot TAZ 3D Printers has given us the confidence to skip prototype tooling on multiple occasions; this saves us thousands in tooling costs and months on our timelines,” Laurita said. “Design-wise, we cannot put a price on being able to test out concepts that we would need tooling for in the past.”

Faster turnaround times and improved flexibility help the company retain the customer focus that has helped them succeed as a U. S. manufacturer for over 30 years. As Cascade Lacrosse continues to provide superior products, LulzBot 3D Printers remain the choice additive manufacturing solution in their prototyping efforts.

“The flexibility you have with the modular tool heads, the size of the build plate, and the quality of the prints you get make the LulzBot 3D Printer a great value,” Laurita said. “Once we had our first LulzBot 3D Printer in-house, it was easy to justify to our management team getting a second.”

Explore Other Prototyping Applications with LulzBot 3D Printers ➡

What is customer service? | Oracle CIS

Customer Service is the assistance a company offers to its customers before or after purchasing or using the company’s products or services. Customer service includes tasks such as suggesting products, troubleshooting problems, handling complaints, and answering general questions.

Every interaction with a client is an opportunity to grow your business. Great customer service is a competitive advantage that builds brand loyalty and awareness.

Customer Service History

To better understand the importance and changing nature of customer service, it is necessary to recognize the transition from single-channel to multi-channel service as a key aspect of business success.

Prior to the widespread use of the telephone, customer service was mainly done in person or by mail. The invention of the telephone gave companies a new opportunity to stand out from the competition by providing better and faster customer service over the phone.

In the 1960s, the first call centers appeared and became customer service departments. With a dedicated customer service department, companies were able to leverage the latest technology and service strategies, such as providing consistent training for all employees interacting with customers.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Internet created a much larger opportunity for customer service—shopping channels. In addition to asking questions, customers could also visit the company’s website, send emails, or interact with the latest technology such as chatbots.

Over the past decade, social media such as Facebook and Twitter have become another channel through which customers can interact with companies. Recently, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) are rapidly expanding customer experience.

Customer service and customer experience – what’s the difference?

Customer service is part of the customer experience (CX), which is a broader term that includes all points of contact between a customer and a company, including sales, marketing, training, customer service, and more.

Companies often measure their customer experience to evaluate emotional, physical, and other interactions with a brand. Customer service, or customer care, plays an important role in the overall customer experience, helping or hurting a company in its efforts to establish a positive relationship with customers.

Learn more about customer experience and why it matters to your business

Business value of customer service

How Razer Delivers Impeccable Service and Enhances the Customer Experience.

The importance of customer service in both B2B and B2C segments cannot be overestimated. Benefits of a positive customer experience

• Build a base of brand advocates. Satisfied customers are loyal customers who come back again and again. Another advantage is that retaining existing customers through quality service is much less expensive than attracting new ones.
• Profit increase. Better customer service can increase sales of products and services, leading to higher profits.
• Increasing brand competitiveness. Some companies stand out from their competitors, even if they offer the same products, due to the highest level of service with a personal touch and taking into account all the wishes of customers.

However, it is not only the business benefits that matter, but also the high costs that poor service entails. Even one bad customer experience, such as slow online service where a customer cannot get a quick and clear answer to their question, or gets the wrong advice, can lead to a loss of loyalty and trust. Such a client may not contact you again, but become a loyal client of your competitor.

And if a customer shares their frustrations on social media, it can cause even more damage to the brand and lead to further losses.

• Video Demonstration: Proactive Personalized Customer Service
• Video: Introducing Oracle Service (1:48)

Keys to Success in Customer Service

To delight your customers, you must exceed their expectations and deliver a superior customer experience. To meet minimum customer expectations, you need the following.

Leverage all customer interactions

Ensure seamless transitions between all points of service: digital channels, contact centers and face-to-face interactions throughout the entire customer cycle.

Offer engagement options

Offer customers a wide range of ways to engage with you—anywhere, anytime.

Deliver a superior experience

Let customer-focused contact center employees exceed customer expectations.

Give personalized answers

Give the only correct answer using a best-in-class knowledge management system or automated personalized advice.

Automate processes and interactions.

Predict, improve and enhance customer experience with automation and data intelligence.

Companies need to offer the latest in service automation and personalization technologies and provide a consistent, holistic experience across all customer touchpoints to deliver consistently high levels of service.

Key Benefits of Cloud-Based Customer Service

Companies that rely on legacy customer service solutions find it increasingly difficult and costly to keep up with growing customer demands for speed of access across a growing number of platforms and channels. That is why many companies have already switched to cloud-based CRM platforms and other cloud-based solutions to serve their customers.

• Integration across all departments and customer devices for easy management.
• Scalable cloud platforms that can grow as fast as the business.
• The latest features and technologies without the need for constant investment.
• Low cost – you only pay for what you use.
• A deeper understanding of the needs, preferences and behaviors of customers allows continuous improvement of the services provided.
• Mobility: Cloud provides mobile access to customer service systems via smartphones and other devices. This is a great way to ensure ease of access.

A particularly important benefit of integrated cloud platforms is the ability to provide feedback throughout the entire customer service process. For example, a company might add an automatic feedback request (“thumbs up or down”) before, during, or after a purchase. This feedback can then be analyzed to determine the level of customer satisfaction. This opens up new possibilities for quickly identifying problems and improving all aspects of service.

Watch a video to find out why a company moved from a legacy CRM system to a cloud solution (2:00)

The Future of Customer Service

The future of customer service is fast approaching. Companies have new opportunities to stand out from the competition and increase both revenue and customer loyalty.

According to a recent global survey of 465 customer experience leaders by Oracle and ESG, 66% of companies surveyed are using at least one of the following four new technologies to meet changing customer tastes, create a unique, cutting-edge brand, and drive digital transformation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is a system that mimics human intelligence, improving itself based on the information it collects. For example, an e-commerce company can use an AI-enabled chatbot to improve the accuracy and efficiency of answering questions from future customers based on past customer interactions. Of the four emerging technologies, AI is expected to have the greatest impact on the future of customer experience, enabling businesses to provide more personalized offerings and more predictable responses to quickly resolve customer issues.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

VR is a computer-generated interface, usually transmitted through a headset, that creates an interactive environment. AR is an interactive interface in which computer-generated information is superimposed on the real environment. Both systems allow customers to view and customize products, participate in product demos and trainings, and discover new products and entertainment. VR and AR are expected to help companies solve customer problems and stand out from the competition by offering a better customer experience.

Intelligent voice assistants

Intelligent voice assistants, including automated digital assistants offered on websites, perform tasks or provide services based on verbal commands. They make it easy and convenient for customers to ask questions, and use advanced intelligence to guide customers to the products and offers they need, as well as alert them to changes in order status or account information. Intelligent voice assistants can help businesses resolve customer issues faster while keeping operating costs low and delivering a differentiated customer experience.

Internet of Things (IoT) for customer service

IoT technologies connect online devices to each other. IoT sensors can be built into just about anything — smartphones, wearables, appliances, cars, manufacturing equipment, and more. These connections provide companies with real-time data and insights into customer behavior and preferences. For example, IoT sensors included in products can provide telemetry data that allows companies to continuously monitor the status and performance of a product. If a product becomes ineffective, the company can initiate interaction with the customer before they become aware of the problem.