5 Star's John Barsby with some of the new PRO-350FLT cases
UK - 5 Star Cases has again designed and is manufacturing a new case - the PRO-350 FLT - for l DJ equipment manufacturer, Pioneer Europe.

This is based on the success of the PRO-440 case - marketed as "The perfect hard case for 2 x CDJ 400 players, 1 x DJM 400 mixer and 2 USB sticks" - which to date has sold over 7000 units, in Europe alone.

The new PRO-350FLT offers lightweight and durable protection for Pioneer's 2 x CDJ-350s/DJM-350 portable professional DJ system. It also has some new features for which Pioneer returned to 5 Star - to continue the winning collaboration.

The main new physical addition is that the rear section now incorporates a cable management ('loom-box'), to ensure that the connectors and cabling are kept safe and neatly out of sight. This simple 90° up-stand creates the 'loom-box' area. (a separate structure was required on the PRO-440 case).

Other new features include a specially manufactured cable access cover via a split rubber membrane for easy cable entry.

While getting the gear safely and securely to its destination is a priority, good branding is also essential, and the most noticeable new and different feature on the PRO-350FLT case is the appearance of the Pioneer DJ ident.

All previous 5 Star cases in the Pioneer range have been supplied with standard screen printed logos, but a fresh approach was sought when designing the PRO-350FLT. Taking advantage of 5 Star's three Thermwood CNC machining centres, the project's joint design teams set about creating the Pioneer DJ logo in a die, manufactured from polyethylene, which could be used to press the logo directly into the top of the 6 mm plywood case, creating permanent and subtle branding.

Says 5 Star's John Barsby, "It's great to work on projects with Pioneer as they always bring plenty of challenges, which is what we like. Having worked together for some time, there is a great creative and practical dialogue between the two companies, and the results are absolutely stunning on the finished PRO-350FLT product."

(Jim Evans)


Latest Issue. . .