Over the past 3 years we have seen several companies move their electronics manufacture from the Far East and other “low-cost” countries, back to the UK. Surely this cannot be competitive, can it?
Over the past 3 years we have seen several companies move their electronics manufacture from the Far East and other “low-cost” countries, back to the UK. Surely this cannot be competitive, can it?
From January 2022, manufacturers of all applicable products sold in Britain must affix the new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. So what does this mean for your product?
Ian Binder joins the team as Business Development Manager and brings with him over 30 years' experience in the engineering industry.
We offer services for complete product development, from initial idea through to manufacture. In this article, we give a brief overview of our process from start to finish.
Promotions at Cubik HQ lead to the business' first full management team, signifying an important change in the structure of the company.
As restrictions start to ease for the manufacturing and construction sectors, we can gradually return to more normal working conditions. Find out what we're doing to keep our team and customers safe.
Recently, we were joined by Will Beese, a student from SGS College in Filton for his work experience placement. Find out what Will go up to during his week at Cubik HQ.
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop, find out what we're doing to keep our customers, suppliers, team and their families safe.
Over the past 6 months, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Callum Young, a Placement Engineer on secondment from his day job as a Civil Servant. Callum shares his experience and what he got up to.
Kiwa are leaders in testing, inspection, certification and data services to a global customer base across a variety of market segments, including construction, utilities and public safety. Their hot swage joint analyser is used to measure the level of corrosion at the swage joint area of a streetlight column to determine its structural safety.
Kiwa approached Cubik for help with an existing product that was at risk of becoming unmanufacturable. Originally designed in the 1990’s, their hot swage joint analyser called for parts and components that had become obsolete since its inception.
Their objectives were to update the design to create a modern, handheld version and manufacture five new units, complete with full data pack including electronic design files and a software source file.
It was vital that the new design measured and calculated results in the same way as the existing device so that historic testing data could be inherited by the new instrument, without having to define new safety classifications.
The process began with reverse engineering the circuit and sourcing alternative components for the obsolete ones. We ran tests to understand how the device measured, inferring the method of operation and calculating results to fit those produced by the existing device. We then built a prototype breadboard version that allowed us to recreate the device’s operation and generate measurable results.
Using the output from our investigations, we created a custom PCB design and developed software to manage the system and record and present results via a digital display. Finally, we benchmarked the results against the existing device to ensure the results were consistent.
The hot swage joint analyser is one of the main tools used by Kiwa’s technicians to annually inspect and assess the structural integrity of over 130,000 lighting columns across the UK and Ireland, helping to ensure the safety of the public. As well as offering amore modern and functional aesthetic, the new design eliminates the immediate risk of obsolescence and creates a platform for further units to be built to support the scaling of the business.
Dr. Nick Gompertz created EarSwitch a wearable device that has the capability to change the lives of people with severe neurological conditions such as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). This in-ear innovation detects motion from one of the smallest muscles in the body, the tensor tympani, giving users the power to communicate and control their environment.
The Earswitch system comprises of an in-ear sensor and a processing unit that translates the information collected by the sensor and generates Bluetooth or USB data that is sent to the user's device. Nick and his team needed a multi-disciplinary team to help them develop their revolutionary device into a commercially viable product that satisfies strict medical regulations.
Throughout the project we worked collaboratively with several stakeholders including our colleagues in The Product Partnership. This enabled us to support Nick and the team from initial concept through to prototyping and into low volume manufacture for field trials.
For our part, we designed and developed a system architecture for the in-ear module and interface whilst keeping manufacturability in mind. The design was technically challenging and required miniaturisation of the in-ear module to ensure it fit the compact device, without compromising on quality and precision.
Once the device was ready, we assisted with regulatory approval including Electromagnetic Capability (EMC) and Medical Device Safety EN 60601-1.
EarSwitch is ground-breaking medical technology that will change the lives of people suffering with neurological impairments. It offers a transformational opportunity for people with the most severe communication restrictions to have a voice, take control of their environment and choose how to live their lives.
EarSwitch has been recognised innovative technology, winning numerous awards and securing significant investment.
Target Darts is a leader in darts equipment and sponsors some of the biggest names in the game including Luke Littler and Rob Cross. Their latest product creates a new category of connected IoT devices bringing the skill and excitement of the game to homes at the touch of a button.
The Virt Camera is a two-way camera system that allows users to play competitive darts against a global online community. It's front facing camera lets you opponent watch your throw, while the dartboard facing camera allows them to see your dart land in real time, high-definition video.
Target Darts approached Cubik with a prototype of their new product and asked us to conduct a design review that focussed on design for manufacture and supply. The Virt needed to stream two live video feeds to a remote server and an app that would configure and score the game. The biggest challenge was fitting the amount of tech needed into a sleek, compact design whilst maintaining a high-quality video feed.
As part of the design review, we produced a low volume build of the existing prototype to test and analyse. Using the output, we made design recommendations to improve performance and streamline the manufacturability of the product.
Getting the camera tech right was a big piece of the puzzle. Our team carried out extensive research and testing to select the best camera component. We then designed and built a bespoke PCB that enabled the camera to interact with off the shelf components to bring the whole system together.
With a refreshed design that employed design for manufacture principles, we went on to successfully support Target Darts through the regulatory certification process and achieved CE, UKCA and FCC approval.
The result, a market ready product that is now available to purchase: https://bit.ly/40fuW5k
The IZLID is a compact, lightweight infrared laser device used by the military as a command pointer for target marking and communicating with aircraft. It is small enough to fit into the user’s pocket, or attach to their belt for quick access, offering swift guidance to ground personnel over a range of 39km.
Close Air Solutions (CAS) asked Cubik to design a simulator that replicated the look and feel of the IZLID’s aesthetics, ergonomics and user functions, without the infrared beam. The IZLID simulator needed to connect to CAS simulation system via a single USB lead and return data back to the simulation system.
The IZLID simulator is used in classroom based military training to help soldiers gain knowledge and experience of how it would behave in a real-world application. Simulation is a critical part of military training allowing soldiers to experience realistic scenarios in a virtual world, improving their decision making and readiness for combat situations.
The Reskube offers a simple solution providing access to both continuous power and uninterruptible internet connectivity for itself and any connected devices during a power outage. It’s sleek and portable design means that it can be used in a wide range of settings from powering a home office to life saving medical equipment. This intelligent device has the capability to detect and resolve issues before they become a problem.
With our friends at Bang Creations delivering the mechanical design, we were brought on board to design and build the system architecture and support the product through regulatory certification. We worked closely with Bang to ensure the electronic system fit the custom enclosure without compromising on quality and performance.
Designed with critical remote workers in mind the Reskube gives users the confidence to work from any location without fear of disruption. Outside of the home, Reskube maintains continuous operations during outages for small sites such as retail stores, construction sites, doctor's surgeries, and primary schools, ensuring that critical systems and equipment remain operational. Additionally, it offers the added benefit of remote monitoring and management. In global regions where power outages are commonplace the Reskube offers a source of reliability and resilience in an environment with unpredictable connectivity.
Bristol & London based company, Switchee Ltd developed a smart thermostat solution aimed at reducing energy bills in social housing. The intelligent device learns the routine of the household, detects when the house is not occupied and turns the heating on or off accordingly. The device allows valuable data to be gathered remotely reducing the requirement for complex interaction or configuration from the user.
Switchee approached Cubik for help with the development of the software drivers which allow the operating system to communicate with the hardware. This quickly evolved into a larger scheme of work that incorporated the printed circuit board (PCB) design, prototype manufacture and firmware development.
Switchee is the first internet-connect device in social housing. It delivers real-time data that gives housing providers the insights and tools they need to proactively support residents and manage homes.
With a Switchee device installed, energy efficiency can be optimised on a case-by-case basis reducing energy waste, lowering heating bills and cutting carbon emissions.
A new year brings new contracts to Cubik.
Cubik and the team had a well-deserved Christmas and New Years break, on their return they were ready and raring to go!
So much so Cubik landed a new contract with Wessex Water, this contract alongside another will double the turnover of the business which is a fantastic start to the new year!
This is a very exciting time for the whole team and a massive step change to the company. It will not only secure the longevity of the business but also create new roles.
Cubik Innovation celebrated its first year in business this month with a celebratory slice of cake. Having taken up residence at Bristol and Bath Science Park in September 2012, Cubik has quickly grown to a team of eight employees and enjoys a rapidly expanding client list.
Assisting entrepreneurs, inventors and other small businesses in electronic product and prototype design, we specialise in helping clients bringing new products to market. We work across a variety of industry sectors including industrial, telecommunications and security.
With 20 years’ experience in the electronics industry, Managing Director Paul Mullen expressed his delight and ambitions for Cubik:
“We have had a great first year. The team has grown significantly this year, driven entirely by the requirements of our customers. We have delivered significant electronic product designs and in addition have shipped several thousand units of customer product, all manufactured at the science park. The cake isn’t bad either!”
Having successfully shipped the Science Park’s first products earlier in February, the business continues to go from strength to strength with its highly skilled team and on-site manufacturing facilities.
In November, we will be hosting a stand at this year’s Venturefest held at the UWE Conference Centre where we will be demonstrating our manufacturing capabilities.
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