Naim Audio is an audio company that developed the concept for an entirely different breed of amplifier over a decade ago. In 2011, development began in earnest to bring this revolutionary new generation of equipment, named Statement, to life.
Diametric was engaged to produce the volume dials, control buttons and serial plates for the high-end product. Every component, curve and connection demanded unprecedented levels of engineering and tolerance, requiring manufacturing to begin from a blank canvas rather than improving an existing design.
Naim Audio
Audio
Aluminium Nameplates
The vision behind the Statement amplifier demanded unprecedented levels of engineering and tolerance across every component. For the volume dials, the selected materials needed to remain durable over time while appearing bright and raw to fit the overall aesthetic vision. Applying too much protective coating risked detracting from the natural aluminium appearance.
Manufacturing the control buttons presented a significant alignment constraint. The bottom of each button featured a groove that had to fit into a base acrylic to allow for rear illumination. Once aligned within the main housing, the etched text needed to read in the correct direction and remain perfectly central, as the slightest misalignment would be highly noticeable.
Working closely with the client’s product design team, Diametric recommended practical and cost-effective materials and processes to achieve the desired raw aesthetic. To manufacture the complex volume control, a two-part component was engineered. The outer bezel was CNC milled from aluminium and anodised black with concentric rings to sit into the main housing. The inner volume knob was also CNC milled from aluminium with a spun finish and a minimal protective coating on the top face, allowing it to sit within the outer bezel and be illuminated from the rear through an acrylic housing.
To address the strict alignment requirements for the control buttons, the team undertook hours of development to find a way to hold the parts securely during the etching process. Ultimately, Diametric replicated the plastic housing that the final button would go into, using this to hold the component perfectly in place while the text was etched.
The final volume dials, control buttons and serial plates successfully met the extreme engineering tolerances required for the project. The raw aluminium components integrated seamlessly into the aesthetic vision for the amplifier, delivering a breathtaking illuminated effect. By employing innovative problem-solving and precision machining techniques, Diametric helped put the vital finishing touches on this revolutionary new generation of audio equipment.
Watch the video to discover the rigorous design and manufacturing processes behind the making of the Statement amplifier.
