One of the ways in which SMEs can interact with the Integrated Products Manufacturing Knowledge Transfer Network is through a feasibility study. This provides the company with 50% funding for a project to undertake a techno-economic study of a product or process. A recent example was for Charles Grant Limited.
Established in 1988, Charles Grant specialise in the design and manufacture of camera housings, dome enclosures, CCTV columns, security enclosures and related products such as mounting brackets and anti-vandal cages. They supply to the main names in the CCTV industry.
They employed relatively low levels of innovation in their products and because their competitors offered similar products and prices, competition was fierce. Charles Grant realised they needed to innovate to stay ahead of the competition especially from low labour-rate countries. They had the idea for a new-concept CCTV dome camera housing offering unparalleled levels of performance and protection, including enhanced optical clarity and vandal resistance as well as the addition of electro-mechanical drives and electronic systems to prevent misting in adverse environmental conditions. They approached the Integrated Products Manufacturing Knowledge Transfer Network for support in mechanical and electrical concept design as well as the exploration of rapid manufacturing techniques.
The project, managed by Pera, helped Charles Grant to develop 'Dominator', now their flagship CCTV enclosure system.
If you have a particular product or process development idea that you would like to discuss, please send us a query using the online feedback form.
If you would like to receive future announcements about feasibility studies by email, we recommend you complete the online registration form and indicate your interest by ticking the box for feasibility studies in the interests section.