ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?

Butters Innovation has worked closely with Jarrow based company Miko Engineering to launch a new range of outdoor seating designed with the ageing population in mind at Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing and Health.

The outdoor seating project, funded by Design Network North, is the result of collaboration between designers and a user group of older people from ‘Voice North’ based at the Institute for Ageing and Health.

Seating launch event at the Institute for Ageing and Vitality

The newly designed seats help the elderly overcome problems faced when seating is too low, uncomfortable or difficult to use when walking with sticks or other aids. Mike Morgan, Business Development Manager for the Institute for Ageing and Health said: "The North East is one of the most rapidly ageing regions in the country and this project is a great example of how a North East company can benefit from designing with older people in mind. The Voice North team is a group of people across a range of ages that can be called upon to ensure that design of products is more inclusive."

The designs developed are the result of a number of consultations between the Voice North team and design agency Butters Innovation to explore the needs of the ageing population.

One of the consultation workshops run by Butters Innovation with the Voice North team

Jonathan Butters of Butters Innovation added: "Designing for your customer is imperative in providing products that are fit for purpose and visually appealing. In the case of street furniture there are a number of customers for the product that need to be considered; from the end users, to architects and installers."

He added "Miko Engineering now has a design which will satisfy the needs of the ageing population and set them apart from other manufacturers. With the help of Design Network North we have been able to create a product which we believe is truly inclusive for all ages. Our design team, particularly James Bevington and James Roberts, translated the user’s insight into a sensitive, commercially relevant solution."

Timescales
Oct 2010 - Exemplar funding granted and designer selected
Nov 2010 - Customer consultation began
Dec 2010 - Concept development
Jan 2011 - Detailed design development
Feb 2011 - Prototype development
Mar 2011 - Installation and customer feedback

April 2011

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BUTTERS INNOVATION TO CONTINUE
IN REHAB!

Butters Innovation has just secured second year funding to develop a new product that will assist the rehabilitation of patients affected by stroke known as the MoRoW II (Motorised Rehabilitation Walker). Loosely described as a motorised walking frame with a sophisticated computer interface and user focused design, the project is part financed by a £150k government grant from i4i fund. The device will be capable of delivering a range of therapies leading to earlier mobility

Jonathan Butters, director of Butters Innovation, said “the consortium behind the project includes NW based PDS Engineering, Salford University and Medilink NW. PDS have been involved in Richard Branson’s balloon projects, restoring Donald Campbell’s Bluebird and have supported Richard Noble’s Thrust land speed projects. The team from Salford University have a first rate track record in developing patient care systems and the project has full access to the commercial connectivity of Medilink NW.” This type of consortium is typical of British Innovation when unusual partners get together to make a difference. Production will start in the NW next year following clinical trials that are scheduled for October 2010

August 2010

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BUTTERS INNOVATION AT TSB'S "COLLABORATION NATION" EVENT

Jonathan Butters was invited to present at the recent Technology Strategy Board's "Collaboration Nation" event following the successful delivery of a TSB funded project with their client Farfield Group. The elevator pitch highlighted the benefit of developing technology with the early stage assistance of industrial designers who “understand people as well as technology”.

Jonathan and his team have helped Farfield develop their scientific instrument and scale up the market potential from 20 units per year (£2m) with a potential ten fold increase to 200 per year. This has been achieved by re-designing the device from an end-user and production perspective. By creating a simpler sample loading arrangement Butters Innovation have created a consumable approach which will improve ergonomics, reduce sample time, reduce errors and remove the risk of contamination.

A UK supply chain has been developed for the new precision parts by manufacturer Optimold as well as a low cost off-shore solution for the instrument’s micro-fluid seals. Jonathan Butters said “Farfield needed to take the product on from the early adopter research lab stage and make efficiency and reliability improvements so that it was suited to industrial labs. The TSB funding enabled Farfield to out-source their design services to us so that we could develop a rapid prototype fit for scaling up for higher volume, precision manufacture. We have taken this approach with a number of clients where they had produced a world class breakthrough instrument that needed to be developed for the second phase of market penetration.”

March 2010

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JONATHAN BUTTERS NOW DESIGN ASSOCIATE FOR DESIGN COUNCIL

Jonathan Butters has been accepted as a strategic Design Associate for the Design Council’s Designing Demand Innovate programme. “Designing Demand is a business support programme from the Design Council. It helps businesses (and University Technology Exchange Officers) to discover how to become more innovative, more competitive and more profitable.” From www.designingdemand.org.uk.

Jonathan’s 11 years of experience as an industrial design consultant, 10 years experience as an academic and 10 years experience as a professional engineer was seen as a strength, particularly in relation to working with Universities. “I have been working with Universities and their spin-outs for many years so engaging as a formal member of the Designing Demand team is a natural progression to help unlock the commercial potential of the UK’s HEI sector” said Jonathan. “It will also be great to join the other BDI members who are already part of the Designing Demand delivery team.”

March 2010

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ACCESS £4,000 WORTH OF "CREATIVE CREDITS" THROUGH BUTTERS INNOVATION

Butters Innovation has become an approved supplier under the NESTA Creative Credits scheme, a world-first programme that helps businesses to develop their ideas by teaming up with creative firms.

Greater Manchester-based SMEs from all sectors can apply for 'Creative Credits' worth £4,000 which can be used to purchase services from Butters Innovation.
Click here to see our gallery entry.

You need to spend at least £1,000 and the Creative Credits programme will top it up with £4,000.

Full details available at www.creative-credits.org.uk

February 2010

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NHS TECHNOLOGY REVIEW WON FOR OUR CLIENT DA-TA INDUSTRIES

We have worked with Da-Ta Industries for a number of years and helped develop a novel personal hygiene system, the PS3. The wall-mounted warm water spray handle is cleansed with Ultra Violet light between uses. A dispenser provides flushable, non-woven textile Sani Mitz mittens with an anti-microbial content. They are used for cleaning the toilet seat and cleansing/drying the user's body in conjunction with the water spray. The system can be used as part of an infection control strategy as well as for general personal hygiene.

The NHS National Technology Adoption Centre (based in Manchester) has just accepted the system for a full technology review. The Sani-Mitz system started as a personal hygiene product to enable Muslims to wash prior to prayer. However, after demonstrating the system to Medilink NW and TrusTECH (the NW NHS Innovation Hub), infection control applications were identified.

“Jonathan and his team designed and built a fantastic working prototype, commissioned primary research and helped greatly with the applications for grant funding, Innovation Vouchers and Creative Credits,” said the product’s inventor, Zahida Abbas. “We are delighted that the NHS has such faith in the concept and we are also exploring the Arab healthcare and hygiene markets.”

“This project is a good example of how strategic consultancy and industrial design can help to position a new-start client with a disruptive innovation, and help them raise finance and connect with key market players,” said Jonathan Butters, founder director of Butters Innovation.

January 2010

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BUTTERS INNOVATION ENERGISES FUEL CELL LAUNCH

ACAL Energy had just 8 weeks in which to produce a convincing visual prototype for the launch of their Hydrogen fuel cell at a high profile event. Butters Innovation designed and prototyped the full product, producing a unit which not only communicated the compact size and portability of their system, but which looked like the finished product and was robust enough to be taken to trade shows and seminars.

“We had a very tight deadline and needed a physical model to demonstrate our unique PEM fuel cell technology at a prestigious international symposium. In 8 weeks and on budget, Butters Innovation designed and delivered a complete and convincing product.”
Bob Longman, VP Engineering, Acal Energy

We rapidly designed a complete product using SolidWorks and incorporated the client's components. The model was made using CNC machined plastics and Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) Nylon. It weighed around 30kg, had stainless steel pipework and a working mini PC with touch screen. Internally were two lead acid batteries so that it could run without mains connection for several days. Although the fuel cell was not a functioning unit, real parts were used to get a convincing result.

November 2010

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CREATING A BESTSELLER AT LIVERPOOL SCIENCE PARK

Butters Innovation and Lucid Group will be among the experts speaking to a high-profile audience of incubators, SMEs and technologists at "Creating a bestseller – How to take an idea to market", a free business design and innovation event to be held at Liverpool Science Park on Wednesday 7th October, from 4.00pm to 6.30pm.

The event will walk delegates through the process of taking an idea from initial concept, design and development and turning it into a hit in the marketplace. The event will look at a variety of case studies, including examples from the biomedical, consumer health and medical devices sectors.

Strategic designers Butters Innovation and Lucid Group will both present a number of medical product innovations they have produced to the audience, while BDI Northwest’s regional Chair Alistair Williamson will also brief delegates about British Design Innovation and its importance to companies wishing to exploit their intellectual property and commercialise their ideas, no matter how small or large or in which industrial sector.

STOP PRESS: The Design Council’s Design for Patient Dignity national design challenge will be launched at the event. This is an opportunity for NW Designers to partner with manufacturers and technologists in order to improve current practices in the NHS.

Other speakers include representatives from co-sponsors Medilink North West (who will provide information on finance and regional networks within the healthcare sector) and TrusTECH, who will offer tips on how to form links with the NHS to ensure the next big idea also makes a big impact in the marketplace.

To download the event flyer, click here.

October 2009

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BUTTERS INNOVATION GOES INTO REHAB!

Butters Innovation has joined with PDS Engineering, University of Salford and Medilink NW to form a consortium to develop a new product that will assist the rehabilitation of patients affected by stroke. Loosely described as a motorised walking frame with a sophisticated computer interface and user focused design, the two year project will be part financed by a government grant from National Institute of Health Research’s Health Technology Devices programme.

Jonathan Butters, director of Butters Innovation, said “I am very excited about working with PDS Engineering. They have been involved in Richard Branson’s balloon projects, restoring Donald Campbell’s Bluebird and have supported Richard Noble’s Thrust projects. The team from Salford University have a first rate track record in developing patient care systems and the whole project will be managed by Medilink NW. This type of consortium is typical of British Innovation where unusual partners get together to make a difference.”

The project will start in the Spring 2009 and the product is planned to be launched in 2011.

February 2009

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MOB GUARDIAN CONTINUES TO SAVE LIVES

The lives of two young fishermen have been saved thanks to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's man-over-board and vessel locater alert system, the MOB Guardian. The safety system has now saved the lives of five fishermen who work in an industry that is considered to be the most dangerous in the world.

The two fishermen were winched to safety from a life raft after their 10m fishing vessel, Leven Mor of Looe, sank off Cornwall. They were located after their MOB Guardian unit sent a ‘vessel overdue' alert to the RNLI Operations room. The information was passed to Falmouth Coastguard who then tasked the RNLI Penlee lifeboat and a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.The rescue helicopter spotted smoke and soon after, located a life raft containing the two crew approximately 4 miles from their last reported position. The men were winched on board and taken to Treliske Hospital in Truro suffering from mild hypothermia. The RNLI Penlee lifeboat subsequently recovered the life raft and other debris.

The Leven Mor of Looe fishing vessel

MOB Guardian Base Unit & Personal Safety Devices

"The RNLI had a significant challenge to overcome to deliver a first class product to a sector of the maritime market that is particularly vulnerable and at risk. Engaging with a team involved in the rapid development of specialized electronics equipment was of particular significance in the RNLI's thinking.
This equipment also required specific ergonomic study to design an effective user interface - the creative approach of Jonathan's team in developing the product, which is now bearing fruit through saving lives."

Peter Bradley, Staff Officer Operations
Royal National Lifeboat Institution

October 2008

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CHINA BY DESIGN

Jonathan Butters was one of a panel of speakers at the recent "China by Design" event organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the China Britain Business Council, at the City of Manchester Stadium on 8th February 2008. Designed to encourage participants to explore opportunities in Greater china, the event showcased British firms operating in China, with a focus on knowledge-led innovation.

Jonathan's presentation "Designing in Protection for IPR", illustrated the issues, benefits and challenges through case studies and real life examples drawn from the past 5 years of experience of product development working with Chinese manufacturers.

Jonathan Butters presenting at China By Design
City of Manchester Stadium, February 2008

March 2008

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