DJB Instruments

Wanting to expand its product range and market share, DJB Instruments launched its first ever Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) – and is now partway through its second.

DJB Instruments manufactures accelerometers, instrumentation and associated signal conditioning instrumentation products – and was keen to spearhead the development of a unique technology.

Benefits for the company

The KTP successfully delivered wireless piezoelectric accelerometer prototype technology, giving the company a unique basis for future development and the potential to create a new product segment. 

The company reports that the project has produced several other unforeseen benefits.

It has become more open to exploring new development routes, including the use of 3D printing to enable rapid and cost-effective prototyping, and the potential of mobile apps to handle and analyse data.

Indeed, the lessons learned have prompted a review of existing products and manufacturing practices, inspiring the company to adopt more robust process management of all R&D projects, and energising its broader R&D agenda.

The embedding of new knowledge within the company has provided it with the confidence to become a market leader in accelerometer technology.

Benefits for the University

Meanwhile, the partnership has also benefited the University, supporting the introduction of a new undergraduate industrial project module and a several individual finalists’ projects.

During the project, the paper “Feasibility of a fully autonomous wireless monitoring system for a wind turbine blade” – part of a portfolio of work on remote sensing – was published. The new device, and its supporting knowledge, is likely to generate further applied research.

Dr James Flint, who supported the KTP, acknowledges that the project deepened his knowledge and experience of enterprise activity.

Read about the company’s more recent KTP with the University.