Unlocking Product Development

At DesignSpark we are passionate about innovation and helping the next big thing to happen. Or small to medium sized thing. Taking an idea from concept to production is as much of a challenge for the maker community as it is for large organisations but there are people out there that can help.

I was introduced to the Campus Technology Hub (CTH) at the Science and Technology Facility’s Council’s (STFC) Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire earlier this year when the buidling was being finished. They have expertise in R&D, proof of concept, prototyping and testing as well as being a part of the Knowledge Transfer Network that can help unlock funding for Innovation. I'll be backon the 29th of November to talk about DesignSpark but also to find out about additive manufacturing (no, I'm not going to Google it) and how to unlock funding for Innovation within the UK.

Here, Delyth Lloyd of the CTH tells us about the some of the support given to Taylor Garfit and their humanitarian aid project.

"The CTH provides UK SME’s, including small start-ups, with affordable access to more than £2 million of advanced engineering technology, including advanced 3D printing and rapid prototype assistance.

It’s main purpose is to provide companies with affordable access to the best skills and facilities in engineering R&D so that they can solve their technology challenges to better compete on a national and international level. Entrepreneurs, small and medium companies, can turn their brilliant ideas into reality.

Start-up company Taylor Garfit Ltd is one of the first companies to use the centre. It is developing new technology for use in the provision of humanitarian shelters for refugee scenarios and international disasters where rapid deployment is critical.

Richard Taylor, Design Director at Taylor Garfit Ltd said “Durability, weight and cost are all key to the success of our framing technology and, thanks to the CTH, we have been through 16 variants of our prototype in very quick succession,” he said. “We have also developed a rigorous destruction testing rig in conjunction with CTH staff and have achieved a dramatic 20% increase in strength at each test stage. Over a six-month period, we have been able to move from concept stage to a position where we are now ready to start field trials, a timescale we certainly could not have achieved without the assistance of CTH”

CTH will be opening it’s doors to the tech community on the 29^th of November to showcase the facility and current projects to those who may be interested in using emerging technology in 3D printing and additive manufacturing for new product development.

This event is designed to help technology companies better understand the breadth of support available to them through collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council and partner organisations.

Register to attend at                            

www.cthshowcase.eventbrite.co.uk