What started as a clever workaround by one of our engineers has now literally reshaped how we approach client problem-solving.
During the final phase of a high-profile client’s Paris office, Twisted tech lead Michael Izzett faced an unexpected snag. The client noticed that exposed USB ports on the installed touch screens were throwing off the clean, polished look of their newly upgraded space.
With no ready-made solution available, Michael took the challenge home. A passionate motorbike tinkerer in his spare time, Michael owns a personal 3D printer, and it sparked an idea. Using CAD drawings from the project, he modelled and printed bespoke grommets that would slot into the USB ports, concealing them neatly and restoring the aesthetic the client was after.
The twist? It worked so well that the client wanted them installed across the wider sites. Michael even offered to paint them to coincide with their branding, but the client preferred the subtle, integrated finish.
The impact was immediate and impressive. What could’ve been a small aesthetic flaw became a proof point for creative thinking, problem-solving, and speed. In fact, the idea had such a ripple effect that we’ve now committed to installing 3D printers in all Twisted offices.
Michael says it best: “They save time, money, and stress, especially when you need a fix on the fly. In our line of work, they’re game-changers.”
And it doesn’t stop there.
Fast forward to a boardroom install at a different client site where ceiling mic placement was proving awkward. The room’s narrow shape meant a standard ceiling tile cut-out would’ve pushed the mics off-centre; not just odd-looking, but likely to affect coverage too.
The fix? Michael 3D-printed custom standoff pods to reposition the mics precisely. Clean lines, better acoustics, no compromises.
Another challenge turned opportunity, and more proof that having 3D printers at our fingertips is paying off in spades.
Nice one, Michael!
