<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Industrial Design Consultancy / About / News]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Industrial Design Consultancy / About / News]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Webcast Marks World Industrial Design Day ]]></title><description><![CDATA[      

  Industrial Design - Global markets, local solutions  

  This major day has been introduced by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), ‘in order to raise awareness about the benefits of industrial design in improving our quality of life.’   IDC’s webcast   will mark it by discussing the globalisation of product design, understanding the cultural and commercial subtleties of international markets and how the designer’s insights can contribute in a meaningful, sustainable, and commercially successful way.  
 
  The webcast will take place on WIDD, Monday 29th June at 9am GMT. To find out more and register, visit   www.idc.uk.com     

  For more information about WIDD and Icsid, log on to   www.icsid.org    ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:44:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/webcast-marks-world-industrial-design-day-/</link><guid>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/webcast-marks-world-industrial-design-day-/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IDC Outlines Merits of Plastics in Design at PMD]]></title><description><![CDATA[  IDC projects director, Brian Gough, delivered a key presentation at this year’s Plastics in Medical Devices (Brussels, May 2009), suggesting that the design opportunities offered by plastics are almost infinite - providing you ask the right questions from the outset.   
 
  The presentation highlighted a range of factors affecting plastics choice in design when developing a world class medical device. Addressing the essential issues of device application and risk classification, as well as regulation, testing and compliance, Gough drew on several award-winning medical products designed by IDC to illustrate how to tackle the central points in the process.    
 
  IDC’s   multi-award winning insulin pen   designed for Indian healthcare giant Wockhardt, provided a strong insight into the process. With diabetes a significant problem in India, Wockhardt was able to supply insulin but lacked a cost effective way to administer it. The company needed both a disposable and reusable injector pen each made from 100% plastic, which would meet stringent international regulations (ISO/FDA), testing and compliance, and also side-step existing patents without compromising on quality.   
 
  “As with all medical device projects, understanding a product’s purpose and function, and identifying competing products in the marketplace is vital. What sort of weight and strength is required for durability? Are there specific or unusual aspects of mechanical performance to be met? Will it need to be resistant to oils, UV, solvents, radiation? The question of the device’s classification is the next issue, raising questions over sterility and additional concerns from cleanliness in manufacture to infection control and bacterial barrier properties, depending on how and where the devise is used. All these factors, as well as tooling and manufacture, affect polymer choice for the designer,” said Gough.   

      


  Before embarking on the insulin pen design, IDC examined the market and user needs, isolating and analysing competitor products and their regulatory requirements. Engineers and designers reviewed over 150 patents, 30 competitor products and their functional mechanisms, as well as the requirements of international standards. They also conducted user interviews and discussed the product with GPs.   
 
    IDC’s in-house Viper SLA machine   provided a prototype for verification and accuracy, which could then be taken to TNO for initial opinion and guidance to obtain a medical CE mark. In total, 15 plastics were used, each carefully selected on the basis of mechanical, chemical, aesthetic and functional properties, as well as cost.   
 
  Gough continues, “The application and level of invasiveness of any given medical device will naturally affect the polymer choice, verification and manufacture process – and the overall cost. But it’s important to remember that just because a device is medical, doesn’t mean it necessarily needs a medical grade material.”   
 
  Other IDC case studies discussed which use plastics in medical design included:  

  - The world’s first non-invasive   Medick Personal Heart Monitor   from concept to production (class 1) developed and launched within 6 months  

  - The   ZYDUS CADILA Asthma Inhaler   (class 2a). Millions sold across India  

  - The Vielle Stimulator for women with sexual dysfunction. Awarded The Design Effectiveness Award for consumer product (class 1)  

  -   The Venner LoTrach™ Cuff Pressure Controller   (CPC) for monitoring and controlling the inflation pressure of LMA LoTrach™ Endotracheal and Tracheostomy tubes (class 2a)   
 
  In conclusion, Gough explained, “One thing is absolute: the use of plastics in today’s medical devices opens many doors in terms of design, but it is only through an accurate and in-depth understanding of polymers in the context of medical classification and the corresponding regulations that superior quality products can be designed.”  ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:35:05 +0000</pubDate><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/medical/idc-outlines-merits-of-plastics-in-design-at-pmd/</link><guid>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/medical/idc-outlines-merits-of-plastics-in-design-at-pmd/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[IDC Designs Awards for UK Tour Series]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Tasked by the organisers of The Tour of Britain and The Tour Series, SweetSpot Group Ltd., IDC’s model making specialists and product designers have collaborated to develop a unique trophy design. IDC is very familiar with the detailed product development process involved in creating an award. The company recently worked with New Pro Foundries on the high profile film and television award, BAFTA.  

  Vincent O’Horo, Director of IDC Models, explains, “The Tour Series is a fantastic set of ten events which sees a return to competitive cycling in Britain’s towns and cities. As a new Series, we needed to produce an award that would be instantly recognizable and in line with the brand itself so that it would become iconic in the cycling world.”  

  The product design incorporated the brand’s flagman and shield motif, curved surfaces and aluminium stands inspired by the design of cycle fittings and accessories. Translating this into a 3D form required the evolution of the logo to accommodate production techniques.   
  
  The project drew on several in-house disciplines, from design and engineering to rapid prototyping techniques, CNC, specialist model making and short run manufacture.  The product designer’s Viper SLA (stereolithography) machine speeded up the process by producing same-day prototypes. CAD files were converted into high quality, solid resin parts in a matter of hours, which allowed the product development team to test a variety of patterns, exploring surface textures for a greater degree of definition and style.    
  
The trophies were produced in three different sizes and cast in phosphor bronze by New Pro Foundries for increased durability and classic design. All the teams will be competing for the trophy named after cycling industry legend and Tour Series sponsor, Bob Chicken MBE - The Bob Chicken Trophy.  The large trophy will be kept by the Tour Series in a glass case, whilst six medium trophies are given out to the overall winning team at the end of the series and 60 small trophies for the winning team of each race. With the capacity for batch production, IDC made all 67 awards in-house.   
  The ten round Tour Series which began in Milton Keynes on 21st May 2009 and ends on Thursday 25th June in Southend-on-Sea, is also being televised by ITV. The event is aimed at teams of cyclists rather than individuals, with five riders in each team. Exeter, Woking, Peterborough, Blackpool , Southport, Stoke-on-Trent, Colchester, Chester and Southend-on-Sea will all play host to the competition which promises to bring a carnival-like atmosphere to the heart of each town and city.      ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:28:22 +0000</pubDate><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-in-the-press/idc-designs-awards-for-uk-tour-series/</link><guid>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-in-the-press/idc-designs-awards-for-uk-tour-series/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[3D Model for British Gas at Grand Designs Live]]></title><description><![CDATA[  The British Gas stand at Grand Designs Live 2009 has a more interactive feel this year thanks to a demonstration unit crafted by IDC Models. The model showcases energy saving techniques tried and tested by the public in an eco-social experiment conducted by British Gas in 2008 called ‘Green Streets’.  

  “Grand Designs Live and British Gas were keen to show the best of the energy saving devices put to the test throughout 2008 by some of the homes in eight chosen UK streets.  Grand Designs wanted visitors at the show to get involved and see clearly in a fun and interactive way how these techniques really worked,” explained director of IDC Models, Vince O’Horo. “Building a model that would create a life-like quality was essential. We needed to draw people in and bring it closer to reality for anyone visiting the show.”  

  IDC Models was asked by Rockwool Insulation to design and produce the temporary demonstration unit.  

  Model making specialists set to work building the cross section of a wall and roof that would illustrate three major energy saving options.  The unit demanded a heavy emphasis on traditional model making skills with careful attention to detail, but also employed a blend of rapid prototyping technologies and CNC machining. Different brick patterns were also considered by the model making team, as these indicate whether a house has been built with cavity or solid walls.  

  The unit itself allows visitors to see inside a loft wall insulated by a medium density multi-use insulation mat called Rockwool Roll. The model also shows a cavity wall kitted out with Rockwool EnergySaver insulation to improve the thermal insulation of both new and existing masonry cavity walls.  

  As many pre-1930s houses do not have a cavity wall, the model makers also incorporated insulation for solid walls demonstrating the British Gas EcoRock system, which works like a cladding against the exterior wall and combines non-combustible, acoustic, thermal and energy saving insulation.  

  The next Grand Designs Live will be held in Birmingham in October 2009, where the model will be on display.  

  

 
]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:30:44 +0000</pubDate><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/3d-model-for-british-gas-at-grand-designs-live/</link><guid>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/3d-model-for-british-gas-at-grand-designs-live/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Free iPod with your SLA parts order until the end of June]]></title><description><![CDATA[For the month of June, IDC Models is offering a free iPod shuffle for all customers placing an order for SLA parts of £300 or more. With every order worth £500 or more, customers will receive a iPod nano.    

Please feel free to try the   Instant SLA Quote   system without any obligation. The online Instant SLA Quote provides a quick and easy-to-use way to obtain a no obligation quotation. Simply insert the dimensions of your part(s) including the part volume and quantity, fill in your contact details and submit the form, you will then receive and instant quotation via email. If you wish to proceed, simply email or fax back a purchase order and we can start the job immediately.    

This offer is only on during June, and qualifying order values exclude VAT.    
For further information about the service or IDC Models’ other rapid prototyping and model making services please call on 01753 547610 or visit our website   www.idcmodels.com  ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 10:38:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/free-ipod-with-your-sla-parts-order-until-the-end-of-june/</link><guid>http://idc.uk.com/about/news/idc-news/free-ipod-with-your-sla-parts-order-until-the-end-of-june/</guid></item></channel></rss>