Archives: Case Studies

The Challenge

Global beauty brand Avon wanted to maximize the potential of a critical new product launch. ANEW Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream is a ground-breaking skincare product. The product combines two different night creams that need to be rotated every seven days to prevent the user’s skin adapting to the skincare regime.

Key to optimizing the anti-aging benefits was that users needed to remember to rotate the double-ended dispenser each week. Avon sought reassurance that consumers would continue to follow the usage instructions over time – so turned to CDP’s unique user insight service diialog™ for a new perspective. The diialog™ service uses miniature sensing technology discreetly fitted to products or packaging to capture quantitative data during user tests. The result is a conclusive analysis enabling companies to develop a deeper understanding of consumer behavior.

Our approach

The first task was to define ‘normal’ use. We set up an internal trial to ensure our algorithm was robust enough to translate inertial sensing data from the dispenser into accurate user insights.

We then ensured our diialog™ technology could be incorporated into the dispenser without adversely affecting its performance or appearance, while also ensuring there was sufficient battery life to cover Avon’s month-long consumer trial requirements.

Working alongside Avon’s packaging team, our human factors experts were able to ensure our diialog™ technology was a seamless part of the product’s ergonomics.

An internal trial ensured our algorithm reliably translated the inertial sensing data from the dispenser into accurate user insights

Our diialog™ technology was seamlessly incorporated into the dispenser, eliminating any potential impact on users’ behavior

Our diialog™ technology was seamlessly incorporated into the dispenser, eliminating any potential impact on users’ behavior

The Challenge

Water damage is the largest cause of home insurance claims. This Internet of Things (IoT) Leak Sensor can spot if there is an unusual flow of water into your home which could indicate a potentially serious water leak. It sends a notification via your home automation system to your phone, and even helps you find a plumber.

Start-up company FlowGem created an ingenious concept for a novel water detection technology and asked us to design and build a demonstration system for home trials. The device had to be very sensitive to detect a slow leak, yet slim enough to mail out to customers and simple and robust enough for DIY installation.  Of course, it also had to be cost effective, data secure and have a long service life when connected to a Wi-Fi network when powered by just two AA batteries.

3D printed parts were developed to ensure caseworks met all functional requirements

A clip was developed to maintain a reliable contact to the customer’s water pipe over time

Testing and finite element analysis ensured reliable performance through the product’s life

Our Approach

We quickly deployed a multidisciplinary team led by an experienced project manager together with mechanical, electronics and software engineers. We started by addressing several design challenges that were needed to turn the core technology into a practical and reliable product in the hands of customers. Having solved these, we moved on to design and build the sensors and software infrastructure needed for a 100-user home trial, in just six months.

We designed the sensor to simply clip onto your incoming water pipe. Data is collected and analysed in the sensor using smart algorithms to save power and is transmitted periodically to the cloud to build up a picture of water usage. You are alerted by text message to problems ranging from a burst pipe to a slow drip.

The Challenge

Gmax Technology asked us to help develop an innovative heart monitor to help vets and trainers accurately monitor their sport horses. Up until now they usually adapted human heart monitors, but they often gave false results and could not spot anomalies that could indicate future heart problems.  They also did not hold up well in the demanding commercial equine training environment.

Our Approach

The device ergonomics and user interface were created to allow the vet to see the heart beat trace, a visualisation that allows anomalies to be quickly identified.  The monitor is also wirelessly connected to a Smartphone allowing measurements to be automatically recorded in a database, alongside other training data.

The value we created

The Gmax VetCheck system is in use by equine professionals  all over the world.  It is the easiest and most accurate way to make measurements of your horse’s heart and is used both in training and international competitions to ensure that high standards of welfare are maintained.

The Challenge

Whilst others have shown 3D printing of injection mold tooling is feasible for simple parts, we wanted to mold real world, complex components.

So we developed a fresh approach using industry standard polymer 3D printers to create complex mold tools in hours. Realizing that making the tool is only part of the time required, we also made sure to fast track tool design and verification.

First the design is sketched to develop the geometry of the major components.

The printed tool insert splits to allow the molding to be removed.

Precision 3D scanning is used to verify the accuracy of the finished part.

Our Approach

We developed a new tooling strategy that mitigates material limitations and maximizes the benefits of digital processes. The tool is quick to design and exploits modular tool plates, so 3D printing of the mold tool can start within hours of the part design being completed.

The in-house digital work flow moves from 3D CAD to 3D printer and finally 3D scanner to verify accuracy.  The tool is then set up on our BOY 22 injection molding machine to produce the parts needed. Final part inspection is repeated on the 3D scanner as well.

This technique gives us the capability to move from part design to verified molding in just a few hours, even for the most complex components.

The value we created

We developed a new tooling strategy that mitigates material limitations and maximizes the benefits of digital processes. The tool is quick to design and exploits modular tool plates, so 3D printing of the mold tool can start within hours of the part design being completed.

The in-house digital work flow moves from 3D CAD to 3D printer and finally 3D scanner to verify accuracy.  The tool is then set up on our BOY 22 injection molding machine to produce the parts needed. Final part inspection is repeated on the 3D scanner as well.

This technique gives us the capability to move from part design to verified molding in just a few hours, even for the most complex components.