We are pleased to introduce Cubik Electronic Product Support (EPS). This strategic expansion offers expert support in compliance testing, certification, and electronic product development.
We are pleased to introduce Cubik Electronic Product Support (EPS). This strategic expansion offers expert support in compliance testing, certification, and electronic product development.
Discover key factors to consider when choosing an electronics manufacturing partner. Learn how Cubik Innovation’s expertise, quality, and flexibility can help bring your product to life on time and within budget.
We catch up with our Apprentice Production Engineer, Jake, to talk about his journey, the challenges he's faced and what he's learned along the way.
Kiwa's Hot Swage Joint Analyser, a critical tool used to measure corrosion and ensure the structural safety of streetlight columns, relied on outdated parts and components that were no longer available.
EarSwitch is a wearable device for people with severe neurological conditions like MND. It detects ear movements, enabling users to control devices and communicate despite limited motor skills.
The Virt is a cutting-edge two-way camera IoT device that delivers a new era of connectivity for darts players and fans alike.
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Cyber Essentials Plus certification for a sixth year, demonstrating our commitment to cyber security.
Speed to market is critical to the success of a product. We look at how you can develop a product with market readiness in mind to avoid delays and loss of a competitive edge.
Cubik Innovation is delighted to announce that Sam Beard has been appointed as Operations Director.
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.
Day One - Business
10am: This morning, Camilla showed me some of her work on the accounts. I didn’t realise how much there is to business accounting – it seems very complicated!
11am: Luke and Rory set me a task to make an infographic about technology. I chose to make it about robots, including facts about their development, from the fifth century BC to the present day. It talks about some of the most paramount leaps in ethics and developments in the field. Using my finite knowledge of art, I tried to use complimentary colours and gentle hues to draw people’s attention without being too garish.
Day Two - Design
11am: I spent the morning with Will looking at software. It was really interesting to see how the syntax works in different programming languages, as I’ve only studied a few. It helped me appreciate just how much effort and expertise goes into every prototype and project. It wasn’t anywhere near as simple a process as I had originally thought and the amount of time and thought that goes into it all is amazing.
4pm: I did a circuit project with Eli, calculating the resistance using Ohm’s Law. I used a breadboard to move a circuit containing different LED’s with different resistances. We then connected it to the computer and wrote a program that made the LED’s flash as quickly we wanted. It was like a GCSE Physics lesson at school, only much more interactive! I feel like I’ve got a lot more experience in circuits and the application of computer programs. It never occurred to me that the two could be combined. Today has been a real eye-opener into the world of design and I think it has made me appreciate that experience is just as valuable as theoretical knowledge, if not more so.
Day Three - Production
I spent the day in Production with Shannon and the rest of the team. In the morning we sorted, boxed, and packaged finished products ready to be sent to their customers.
After lunch, we shelved different electrical components and circuit boards. I also spoke to different members of the team about robotics degrees and sixth form options; apparently Plymouth would be a good university choice!
It was good to get a chance to put my limited theoretical knowledge into practice in a work environment; and talk to other people who have already made and experienced the choices I will have to make soon.
I have really enjoyed my three days at Cubik Innovation. Thanks to Paul, Mercedes and everyone else who helped me arrange this as well as all the staff who took timeout of their day to show me what they were doing. I looked for a work experience placement to tick a box at school; now I’m leaving Cubik with more experience and knowledge than I’d ever thought I’d get. Thank you for a great three days!
Over the past year, we were joined by Charlie Freestone who took up the post of Electronics Design Engineer Intern for the 2016-17 academic year. During his time at Cubik, Charlie was a welcome and vibrant addition to the team with his colourful attire and positive attitude. Before leaving to enjoy the last of his summer holidays, and his return to the University of Plymouth where he is studying for a degree in Robotics, we asked Charlie to reflect on his time with us.
My time at Cubik
What you learn at university is your bread and butter foundation. But since working at Cubik, I’ve found that there is so much more to learn than what you pick up doing a degree. Getting hands on design experience along with understanding the entirety of the production process is something you must experience. When you do a placement you learn the correct procedures, how to carry out tasks and how to document it correctly in the ‘real-world’.
How I feel about my internship
A lot of interns spend this time not being able to apply their knowledge to their year in industry. Not only was I pushed to apply what I have learnt on my course to the extreme, I was also challenged to learn new ways of applying that knowledge and even new theories. I found that there is a lot more to learn about the industry that isn’t taught at university including appreciating that the time taken to resolve an issue is more important than finding a fancy way of doing things; and that sometimes keeping it simple is a much better way to complete a project.
When working at Cubik the atmosphere makes it possible to do all these tasks every day. Whenever I had a problem, I was only 2 meters or 5 mins away from having an answer or learning a new perspective to apply to what I was doing. Everyone in the team could be doing different types of work, but they were always willing to help at the drop of a hat. Whether it’s demonstrating how to install the newest coding software or how to have a good night out.
What I have learnt
When creating documents for customers you must always remember that you won’t always address an engineer. When you write a document, you should ensure that you fully explain every part of a system as not everyone knows the terminology.
Learning how to correctly prioritise projects and tasks becomes more pronounced while on a placement. At university, you’re given a few modules that you must learn while doing coursework which can take up to 6 months to complete. At Cubik, you could have between 1 and 10 tasks that must be completed at any given time. Some will need to be completed before others and some will require assistance from other engineers across different departments, which meant I learnt crucial timekeeping and prioritising skills.
Going forward
The internship at Cubik has given me experience of the product development lifecycle – from design and development, through to manufacturing processes. I have witnessed and contributed to every part of this process during my year which has given me the ability to make a strong choice on where I want to be after I finish my course. I want to stay on track to become an engineer.
Working with such a wide range of customers at the earliest stage of their journey means we get a rare and exciting insight into the latest problems that entrepreneurs, SME’s and global organisations face when making an electronic product. Whilst every product is different and comes with its own requirements, we have a tried and tested process that we believe ensures successful product design.
Recently, Paul Mullen (Managing Director) and Sophie Adams-Foster (Business Manager) were invited by SETSquared to run a workshop at The Engine Shed aimed at demystifying the development process of electronic products.
The workshop outlined the product development lifecycle with a deeper look at the planning stages of developing an idea and the value that quality preparation can bring. Not just to the final product, but also the business behind it.
Paul also gave a brief introduction to CE Marking, routes to market and the pitfalls of using Open Sourced design in the prototyping stage.
Hosted by Monika Radcliffe, the workshop was attended by SETSquared members, mentors and University staff and students from a variety of backgrounds. Attendees were able to contribute to the session and posed interesting and challenging questions.
Feedback from the event has been positive and with requests for additional workshops that focus on specific issues – watch this space!
We are delighted to announce that for the third year in a row we have passed the International ISO 9001:2008 quality management audit, with no non-conformities.
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely recognised quality management system accreditation and monitors quality across our business, benchmarking consistent performance and service with the goal to enhance customer satisfaction.
Paul Mullen, Managing Director of Cubik Innovation said:
“Achieving this accreditation demonstrates our continued commitment to quality and by passing with zero non-conformities highlights the efforts of the team and their personal dedication to providing a quality service all that they do. Quality and an excellent service is at the heart of what we do at Cubik”.
To achieve the ISO 9001:2008 standard the company must demonstrate adherence to its own quality system followed by completing multiple reviews that cover all operational procedures within the organisation. Cubik Innovation was independently assessed in August 2016 by SGS and completed the two-day audit process with zero non-conformities.
Paul would like to thank Sam Beard, Cubik’s Quality Manager, and the internal audit team for all their hard work before and during the two-day assessment.
Over the past 4 years, we have been very at home at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. However, following a significant period of growth the time has come to move onto pastures new and we will be relocating to a larger premises in Fishponds, Bristol.
Just 3 miles away from Science Park and with excellent transport links but we will continue to maintain a presence at the science park for our current customers and will attend future tenant events.
Verona House has been designed with a greater production space for both prototype and batch manufacture which reflects the growing demand in the UK.
Speaking about moving into a 4,750 square foot design space Managing Director, Paul Mullen, said:
“This is an exciting time for the business. The past four years has shown that our hard work and passion for electronics and prototyping is paying off and the demand for our service is apparent in South West and beyond. This move will allow us to offer our customers a greater experience while continuing to grow in the developing business community in the South West”.
The unique facility will feature a custom design space, customer meeting rooms, prototyping facilities including 3D printing for rapid prototyping, mechanical design, and assembly. Our in house, electronic production department includes two build lines that include:
We will update our website with more information but the design space is scheduled to open on 4 July 2016 with an official launch ceremony to follow.
Our new address is:
Cubik Innovation, Verona House, Filwood Road, Bristol, BS16 3RY
All email addresses and telephone numbers will remain the same.
This year, we celebrated our 4th birthday in style! Not only was there a very colourful cake (with hidden surprises), but we also celebrated our first birthday in our new home at Verona House in Fishponds.
We’ve had an incredible year and a particularly exciting couple of months. Sadly, some members of the team have left for pastures new, but we’ve also had some new recruits join the team.
Cubik continues to stride forward with new contracts and new equipment to expand our service offering and develop in house skills that enable us to offer our customers an even better service.
For Managing Director, Paul Mullen, a birthday is always a good opportunity to reflect on the past year, and look ahead to the next:
‘’The team at Cubik have continued to give their all this year and we truly are stronger than ever. We have completed some fantastic projects with new ones won, enabling the business to move forward into its very own office space. The next year ahead looks exciting, and I can’t wait to be part of it with this team.’’
This week, we were joined by George Lear from Mangotsfield School for a week of work experience. George is currently a Year 10 student with impressive knowledge and hands on experience with the Raspberry Pi. His interests are electronics, engineering, and design which he is studying at school.
Here’s what George got up to during his at Cubik HQ:
Day 1
I started the day sitting in on the Monday Morning Meeting. The meeting was full of discussion about the business and what everyone’s priorities were for the week ranging from administration to production.
After the meeting I went onto working with Ryan (Electronics Intern) who showed me a report that must be completed when there is a problem with a product. He showed me how to complete it so that anyone should be able to read it and understand it without needing to know anything about electronics.
The final task of the day was to test some products that had been previously found faulty to see if the repairs carried out by the Production Team had worked.
Day 2
I began by working with Eli (Design Engineer) who took me into the workshop to test an intelligent security device that lets you know when it is being tampered with. It can detect all sorts of attacks from drilling to heating. Whilst in the workshop we hit the device with a hammer, cut it with a saw and attacked it violently with an angle grinder to find out if the sensor responded to all the different types of attacks.
After that I moved on to working with Giles (Design Engineer) and Sam (Production Manager) who were testing another piece of smart security technology. This included testing if the device triggered when a door was opened, or a loud nose was heard. It would then send a text message to a database informing the security team that an alarm had been activated letting them know a possible intruder had entered.
I finished off the day by doing a research task to find a step-up DC-DC converter that Cubik could use instead of an old chip that is no longer manufactured.
Day 3
Today I worked with Paul (Technical Software Lead) who showed me how the software side of electronics is done. It turns out is it a very complicated part of an electronics product. This took up the morning and was really fascinating. After lunch I got the chance to have ago myself which I found a great challenge.
I managed most of the tasks, including making a name display which started and stopped when you pressed the button. The only task which I could not manage was creating a reverse button that played the names in reverse when the button was pressed.
Apart from my lack of skills the day went well, and I have particularly liked having a go at programming myself. It is incredibly annoying at times but when you get it right it is very rewarding, and you end up with a working piece of software.
Day 4
Today I worked on a new power supply for a recent project that used a chip that is no longer available. It needed to be capable of powering the system just like the old chip did. Me, Eli (Design Engineer) and Russell (Design Engineer) tried to get it to work but none of us could.
We were supposed to get 5v from the output but the max we could get was 4v without a load. Whatever we tried to do it made it worse or the output stayed the same.
After lunch I used the internet to try to find a similar chip that could do the trick. I managed to find one so when it arrives it will have to also be tested to see if it gives us the 5v needed.
Day 5
Today I started in production leaning how to get boards ready for the pick and place machine. I had the role of putting the solder onto the boards by smearing the solder paste through a stencil and onto the board. This was then ready to be put in the pick and place machine and before going into the oven.
After lunch I started to build another power supply with a different chip. Thankfully this time it worked and gave us 5v on the output. We then did some testing on the power supply to find the efficiency and how well the voltage could keep its self-up to 5v.
I had a really great week at Cubik and I have learnt many new skills. A big thank you to everyone at Cubik for letting me come and see what happens when producing a new piece of technology.
This week we announced that we will be renewing our long-standing sponsorship with Cleve RFC. The renewed partnership will see an increase in the brand’s presence with our logo showcased on the under 14s jerseys, as well as a panel at the stadium.
Cleve RFC is an amateur rugby club based in Mangotsfield, Bristol and they are currently playing in the National League 3 South West. The decision to renew the sponsorship was taken after seeing the impressive impact the club had on the local community.
Paul Mullen, Managing Director of Cubik Innovation said:
“Being a supporter and partner of Cleve RFC is a privilege. We are delighted to be sponsoring the team and we hope that this latest extension shows our commitment to the local community. We will be following the team closely and wish them the best of luck for the coming season.”
This week, we were joined by Will Couch from BTE Academy for his one week work experience – on our first week in our new home!
Here’s what Will got up to at the new Cubik HQ:
Day 1
On the first day I was given a tour by Sophie, Cubik’s Business Manager. Straight after there was a Monday Morning Meeting where everyone discussed projects and what needed to be done for the week.
Paul gave me the task of researching and designing a way of detecting motion on vehicle trucks, to identify when they are in use. As part of the solution, Paul then explained and talked me through what an MPU 9250 chip was, and how it has 9 axes, 3 compass, 3 Gyro and 3 accelerometers. I then made my own box chart for the actual microprocessor.
Throughout the day I was given small tasks by Sophie and Elaine.
Day 2
The second day, Will, one of Cubik’s software developers, took me through how the software and coding worked for a project they were working on. The code he showed me was linked to the vehicles motion I had researched yesterday. After that, Paul Kelly, Cubik’s Lead Software Engineer showed me how to code in C#. I wrote a code that lists 5 names in a text box and once you click the reverse button it outputs the names on the screen backwards, surprisingly complicated!
Day 3
On the third day, I was in the production lab with Barney, one of Cubik’s apprentices. First, I checked all the soldered points for any impurities; this was part of the test process. Barney then led me through how to test the boards, and what to look out for. We then tested half of the boards to see if they worked. Out of the boards we tested one failed, so it will have to be reworked by the production engineers.
Day 4
Today I researched audio amplifiers. Paul gave me the task of researching chips. He gave me a set criterion for what had to be included in the chip. The power, the type of chip, and supply voltage were all important things I had to look at. I also had to find a place that we could buy the amplifiers from, so that we can use it to make an audio amplifier on my final day.
Day 5
On the final day, I made an audio amplifier that included the speaker and audio amplifier chip that we chose yesterday, and lots of resistors and capacitors. First, we bread boarded it to see if the circuit worked. A picture of the breadboarded circuit can be seen below. Once we tested it on there (it didn’t sound great at this point) I soldered it onto Vero board, this made it much smaller, with everything being closer together. It had a 3.5mm audio jack on the top and a switch to turn it on and off. It was all contained in a plastic rectangle case with three holes drilled in it, one big one for the speaker, one rectangle one for the slide switch and one on the top for the audio jack. To drill the holes in the box I got to work in the mechanical lab and help select the enclosure, location of the holes and help drill the holes out using a hole drilling tool. It was then ready to be all fitted together and final tested. For this we plugged my phone in and played a song I had on it.
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