Professional industrial design and research company Addition Design has this month opened its first office space in the AMP Technology Centre in Rotherham.
The new company, headed up by former Fripp Design director Tom Fripp, has taken up 1,000 sq ft of space in building number three, a £4.5m, 32,000 sq ft facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), which opened in 2016.
Providing incubation space on the AMP, the Technology Centre has been designed to accommodate a range of manufacturing-related activities, from fledgling engineering and technology companies, to University spin-offs and subsidiaries of established companies.
Established in February 2017, Addition Design is a joint venture with the Chester Medical Solutions [CMS], a Cheshire-based pharmaceutical and medical solutions company. With offices in North Wales and Israel (and a new US base in Boston, MA set to open this year) CMS specialises in manufacturing and packaging materials for the pharmaceutical industry. With CMS’ strong network in the North West, an area that leads in the medical industry, and Tom Fripp's knowledge of design and the advanced manufacturing sector, Addition Design is able to offer an end-to-end service, from design to completion.
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The company sets itself apart from competitors by offering two areas of research; design research, which sets the foundations for the development of products where the manufacturing processes are generally known, and additive manufacturing research, which focuses on projects which significantly benefit from the advantages of additive manufacturing or 3D printing. The company is also working on the development of its own 3D print technologies.
Addition's new space is split into three rooms; an office space, workshop and meeting room, all of which will allow the company to develop both in design and research.
Tom Fripp, design director of Addition (pictured, right), said: "As a high value engineering firm, it's incredibly important for us to be based at the AMP Technology Centre. Being located alongside the likes of McLaren and Boeing is a huge draw to our customers, and to be within walking distance of these globally successful companies supports our vision for the future.
"The smaller businesses here are also an attraction, as collaboration will be key to the company's growth. We have built up such a strong network in Sheffield and the ten-minute drive to and from the city centre means that we have fantastic access to the engineering talent pool coming from the two universities."
Dave Patterson, managing director of CMS (pictured, left), added: "Addition Design is a fantastic fit with the Chester Medical family of companies. Tom's level of expertise within his industry is invaluable; Addition is already working closely with Quay Pharmaceuticals on researching and designing new drug delivery technologies, something that CMS wouldn't have been able to explore without Addition's skills and knowledge of design research. We hope that this relationship will enable us to explore new avenues and establish the CMS family as a leader in the industry."
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, is returning to a leading trade show to showcase its method of 3D printing silicone that has the potential to revolutionise the medical market and create commercial benefits across all sectors.
With bases in London and on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
Picsima is a 3D printer developed on the AMP that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.
Instead of mixing components together, placing them in a mould, and waiting some time for rubber to set, experts at Fripp have figured out how to use the catalyst component to create three dimensional geometry without the need for a mould.
Earlier this year, the company announced that it had secured the UK patent specific to a method for creating three dimensional geometry from a class of polymers using the "addition curing" method of vulcanisation.
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With the support of a small UK Government grant, the company has developed a demonstrator to allow them to get a better understanding of what the market opportunities are for 3D Printing Platinum Curing Silicones.
The advancements are being showcased by Fripp at the UK's leading show on 3D printing and additive manufacturing - TCT + Personalize - which is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of 3D technologies and attracts 8,000 people. It will provide customers, potential investors and other interested stakeholders with the opportunity to see how they 3D Print silicone and gauge the quality of the parts they are already capable of producing; all on a shoestring budget.
Steve Roberts, director and co owner of Fripp Design, said: "The world of 3D Printing is changing with greater emphasis on materials rather than process. The explosion in interest in metal 3D Printing is been driven by factors such as the materials used because they are already well established and used in other manufacturing methods.
"Polymer based 3D Printing is very different, most polymers are specially formulated for the process selected; meaning that material properties are compromised and restricted into where they can be used.
"Fripp Design and Research have come to the world of polymer based 3D Printing from the complete opposite position. We have taken an existing industrial/medical material - silicone (specifically platinum curing silicones) - and worked out how to create three dimensional geometry without casting, a very similar approach to how metals are being 3D Printed."
The majority of the electorate in Rotherham have voted for Great Britain leaving the European Union with 67.9% backing Brexit.
With a voter turnout of 69.5%, 93,272 votes went to the option to leave, with 44,115 voting to remain.
Nationally, Britain voted to leave the EU - 52% to 48%. Yorkshire and the Humber gave one of the highest eurosceptic results in the country, with 57.7% of people backing Leave.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who announced that he would step down following the result, said: "The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered. It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision.
"So there can be no doubt about the result."
John McDonnell MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor, said: "People will be waking up this morning to turmoil in the markets and the pound crashing, and fearing the emergency budget the Chancellor threatened to hike their taxes and cut public services.
"The Government must now take steps to stabilise the economy, and to protect jobs, pensions and wages."
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Paul Luen, CEO of Martek Group, the Rotherham success story which exports safety and environmental monitoring systems around the globe, welcomed the result.
Truly momentous day. Well done 52% of Britain for believing in ourselves and having Vision. Let’s TAKE BACK CONTROL! 👍😎
Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, an innovative company based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, was not so happy with the way people voted.
To the #UK. I think you are a bit of an idiot. #Brexit
David Greenan, managing director at Newburgh Precision, the Rotherham manufacturer that has been building exports back up following the downturn in the global oil & gas market, was more balanced.
Just as i was thinking there was light at the end of the tunnel the tunnel got longer but maybe the light will be brighter.#ukmanufacturing
Rotherham's MP, Sarah Champion, said she would continue to fight for Rotherham's business.
Well my job now is to fight to make sure #Rotherham people & businesses get the best possible deal going forwards
— Sarah Champion MP (@SarahChampionMP) June 24, 2016
The University of Sheffield, whose Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has secured millions in EU funding for facilities and research projects in Rotherham, said that leaving the EU will not happen overnight and that "there will not be any immediate material change" to the UK university sector's participation in EU programmes such as Horizon 2020.
Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said he was "gutted" at the decision, adding: "We are setting our course in a new direction, sailing into uncharted waters. I am not alone in wondering what it might mean. Academics engaged in projects with other EU universities drawing on EU funding wonder about the future of their work."
Tata, the Indian company that has put its UK steel assets up for sale and last week issued a memo to staff at its UK steel sites on the importance of the European market, said in a statement: "Tata has been operating in the UK since 1907 and remains committed to delivering long-term value for all its stakeholders. There are currently 19 independent Tata companies in the UK, with diverse businesses. Each company continuously reviews its strategy and operations in the light of developments, and will continue to do so. Access to markets and to a skilled workforce will remain important considerations."
Fripp Design Limited, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, has been granted a UK patent for its method of 3D printing silicone that has the potential to revolutionise the medical market and create commercial benefits across all sectors.
With bases in London and on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
The UK patent is specific to a method for creating three dimensional geometry from a class of polymers using the "addition curing" method of vulcanisation. Picsima is a 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.
Instead of mixing components together, placing them in a mould, and waiting some time for rubber to set, experts at Fripp have figured out how to use the catalyst component to create three dimensional geometry without the need for a mould.
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Steve Roberts, director and co owner of Fripp Design, said: "Tom Fripp and the team were playing around with platinum curing silicone in the office when they all had what I describe as the "light bulb moment." We realised that we could extrude the catalyst into a bath of silicone oil and catalyst to create three dimensional geometry. It was the combination of 11 years product design experience, being consumers of 3D Printing and learning the chemistry of addition curing silicone that gave us the knowledge and expertise to figure out the IP."
A key differentiator of the Picsima method is the fact that it cures any commercially available platinum curing silicone. "This is significant because we are not creating materials that would need to be tested and approved for use" added Roberts. "If the material is approved for use in moulds, then the material is approved as a material for 3D printing as well."
The company secured funding from both Innovate UK and Horizon 2020 which allowed them to build a test rig. The company have other intellectual property in how to create parts with multiple softness within a single part, but the current focus is to develop Picsima to meet the growing demand of companies asking for single softness silicone parts.
The patent is described as a "significant step forward" and the focus is turning the method into a commercial 3D Print offer under the Picsima brand. The company is currently seeking investment to continue the product development to meet the growing market need.
"With the UK patent granted, our focus now turns to Europe, North America and China as we see these as the three key markets for our portfolio of IP in Picsima," concluded Roberts.
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, has won the Manufacturing Technology Award at the IET Innovation Awards for its innovative 3D printing technology.
With bases in London and on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET) is the professional society for the engineering and technology community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries. The Innovation Awards celebrate the very best innovations in science, engineering and technology.
The award was recognition of the impact the new Picsima silicone 3D Print technology is having on manufacturing and the potential the technology will have in transforming patient specific health care in the future.
Picsima is a 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.
Using 3D printing technology in the medical sector dramatically reduces the time and cost of manufacture without need for invasive procedures. A patient can quickly obtain necessary replacements without having to revisit the clinic.
3D printing often creates solid objects by building them up in very fine plastic layers. Fripp has been producing prosthetics by printing with starch powder to form a model which is then vacuum-formed with medical grade silicone. Now it is developing the system that prints direct with silicone, in full colour. It is currently completing the patent application for the Picsima process and is confident of having a patent granted in the first quarter of 2016.
The judging panel commented: "The judges were impressed with this exciting and well-presented submission which identified innovation at the highest level. As a patentable product this use of 3D printing has potential to revolutionise the medical market and create commercial benefits across all sectors."
Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "It is extremely pleasing for our company to be recognised by our peers in the winning of this award.
"Through the learning of the chemistry of curing silicone for a prosthetics manufacturing project, we had a "light bulb" moment on how you might 3D Print silicone, rather than mould it; and Picsima was born.
"Although Picsima is important to the company, our focus continues to be in delighting clients through innovative industrial and product design. The winning of the IET award is very important as it further reassures clients of our ability to develop and deliver market winning products for them."
3D-printed silicone, electric-powered aerospace actuators, waterless washing machines, energy efficient irons and new snow sports products are just some of the innovations being developed by companies in Rotherham.
Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board) is the UK's innovation agency, working with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy. Since 2007 it has invested over £1.5 billion in innovation, matched by a further £1.5 billion in partner and business funding.
30 Rotherham companies have secured funding in recent years, from £5,000 Innovation Vouchers, to hundreds of thousands for those involved in much larger consortia.
The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is the hotbed of the region's innovation with financial support for companies such as Xeros, the AIM-listed firm that is commercialising its patented system using a unique method of special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes. The company secured £250,000 from Innovate UK for a project to help develop its system for the domestic market.
14 companies on the AMP have secured funding including Fripp Design for their 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics.
Other recipients include Bromley Sports for the development of Baseboards; Materialise UK Limited for a number of projects focusing on additive manufacturing; and Performance Engineered Solutions (PES) for an ongoing project for the Development of Lightweight Composite Suspension Components alongside Tinsley Bridge Limited and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The university centre continues to play a crucial role in innovation and Innovate UK projects where it is involved focus on affordable lightweighting, satellite systems for aircraft and autonomous control systems for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
At Swinton, household domestic appliance giant Morphy Richards is the lead participant in the Sustainable Capillary Iron Project. The £300,000 project is hoping to develop a more sustainable, energy efficient, longer life iron, that uses less energy and water. The proposed new iron will consider relocating manufacture to the UK.
Based at Vector 31 at Waleswood, Arnold Magnetic Technologies Limited has been a part of a number of Innovate UK funded projects. A leading global manufacturer of high performance magnets, magnetic assemblies and precision thin metals, Arnold has worked with Sheffield-based Magnomatics Limited on projects for magnets in variable transmission for heavy-duty vehicles and on the MAGSPLIT power split device that is suited to hybrid and electric vehicles and is currently being evaluated by a number of global automotive customers as part of The Proving Factory initiative.
Arnold is also working as part of a £3m project led by Safran called AEMTA (Advanced Electrical Machines Technologies for Aircraft). The aim is to utilise electric power for aerospace systems such as actuations, high pressure pumping, landing gear and wheel applications, and power transfer. It also aims to establish the UK for future supply of advanced high added-value products for the "More Electric Aircraft" concept.
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, is showcasing its advancements in 3D printing at a leading trade show this week.
Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
The firm is developing a 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.
The advancements are being showcased at the UK's leading show on 3D printing and additive manufacturing - TCT + Personalize, where Fripp will display the system it calls Picsima, and launch its 3D silicone printing bureau service.
Using 3D printing technology in the medical sector dramatically reduces the time and cost of manufacture without need for invasive procedures. A patient can quickly obtain necessary replacements without having to revisit the clinic. Fripp co-own a number of patents in the manufacture of 3D printed medical devices.
3D printing often creates solid objects by building them up in very fine plastic layers. Fripp has been producing prosthetics by printing with starch powder to form a model which is then vacuum-formed with medical grade silicone. Now it is close to launching a system that prints direct with silicone, in full colour.
Tom Fripp, director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "We have spent the past 18 months developing our method for 3D printing silicone.
"Because we are using commercially available silicones, we are creating 3D printed parts with the material characteristics provided by the source manufacture, but without the need to create a mould and then vacuum cast; we simply 3D Print them. That means we can make parts very soft, extremely durable and capable of being steralised if required and we take out an entire process compared to other polymer based 3D Printing technologies; who needs to cast silicone anymore?"
The research has been backed by a grant from the Technology Strategy Board, the concept is being proven, and Fripp is working with commercial partners for further development of the technology through to a commercially available system.
When you work at the cutting edge of design and prototyping, sometimes the projects you work on have to remain top secret. That's why it's taken a year before Fripp Design and Research can discuss its involvement in Nestlé's "We Will Find You" ad campaign.
One of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, Fripp is based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.
Experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to leading UK universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs, Fripp were approached in December 2012 by a collaboration that included Nestlé and a market leading promotional company with an urgent requirement. The team had conceived a new promotional campaign but technical issues had presented an unexpected challenge in delivering it.
As part of the first-of-its-kind-promotion in the UK, in a number of winning products, bars had been replaced with GPS devices. When the customer opened the winning wrapper and activated the GPS device, a reward response team was dispatched with prize money of between £10 and £10,000 and set out to find the winners in just 24 hours.
Once the location system was developed, Fripp was challenged to package these in such a way that, from the consumers perspective, they looked and felt like the real thing in terms of dimensions, weight and strength whilst protecting the health and safety of the consumer in a robust and tamperproof manner.
Steve Roberts, non executive director at Fripp Design and Research, explains: "This was demanding in its own right, but this was not the major challenge; that came from the timescales involved. Nestlé were committed to the project, so we needed to commit to their very tight deadline; which of course we did."
The project made use of Fripp's experience in reverse engineering, 3D computer aided design (CAD), prototyping and project management.
Roberts added: "Our solution was both elegant and simple using accurate reverse engineering and 3D CAD as well as both in house and the best of breed 3D printing technologies to manufacture lightweight, strong and accurate components for all devices that made it very difficult to detect the contents.
"This unique application of modern design and production helped to maintain the project deadline and deliver a successful UK wide promotion."
This in not the first high profile client for the company. Fripp Design was involved in the design of the Comic Relief "Honkus" Red Nose and have appeared on Channel5's, the Gadget Show. Clients also include; Fellowes, Rolls-Royce, Proware Kitchen, Sagentia Group, and The Wellcome Trust.
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, is close to launching a world first - a 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone.
Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
The experts, Tom Fripp and Steve Roberts, were at the 3D Printshow in London recently (pictured below) to showcase the firm's advancements in the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.
Working with the University of Sheffield and with funding from the Wellcome Trust, Fripp has developed a system to fabricate soft tissue prostheses for patients suffering from facial deformities as a result of disease or serious accidents. It captures 2D colour and 3D spatial data independently to match the patient to the prostheses.
Using 3D printing technology dramatically reduces the time and cost of manufacture without need for invasive procedures. A patient can quickly obtain necessary replacements without having to revisit the clinic. Fripp co-own a number of patents in the manufacture of 3D printed medical devices.
3D printing often creates solid objects by building them up in very fine plastic layers. Fripp has been producing prosthetics by printing with starch powder to form a model which is then vacuum-formed with medical grade silicone. Now it is close to launching a system that prints direct with silicone.
The research has been backed by a grant from the Technology Strategy Board, the concept is being proven, and Fripp is working with commercial partners for further development of the technology through to a commercially available system.
Outlining the potential benefits of the project, called Picsima, Tom Fripp, managing director of Fripp Design and Research (pictured, right), said: "The benefits are numerous and include bringing the advantages of 3D printing to an even broader range of consumers.
"Components that would have to be assembled or bonded may now be manufactured as one part and true colour elastomer parts can be manufactured in high performance, medical grade materials.
"Applications as broad as medical, industrial, consumer products and automotive stand to benefit from this technology."
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, has opened a new office at Chiswick Park in Chiswick, London.
Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.
Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "We have established an enviable reputation for providing our clients with highly innovative, creative but pragmatic industrial and product design within the Sheffield City Region. That reputation has spread nationwide and we are getting more interest in our design capabilities from London based companies."
Fripp Design and Research realised that, to better support and service their clients in the south of England, they needed to be able to provide customers with easier access.
Fripp added: "We understand how valuable time is to our clients. Expecting clients to spend the entire day coming to see us in Sheffield just did not make sense to us. We wanted to demonstrate our support to our clients by establishing a local office; making it easier for them to work with us to achieve their design objectives. We wanted a location which was easy for clients to get to us from Central London, as well as being commutable for those who are located further afield. Not only is Chiswick Park convenient for our clients, the environment is great for creative design too."
The company was involved in the design of the Comic Relief "Honkus" Red Nose and have appeared on Channel5's, the Gadget Show. Clients also include; Fellowes, Rolls Royce, Proware Kitchen, Sagentia Group, Nestlé and The Wellcome Trust.
Industry experts are to gather at The Welding Institute's (TWI's) Technology Centre in Rotherham next week to discuss the impact of additive manufacturing.
TWI is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies.
The Cambridge organisation has a Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) where experts provide technical support in joining and technologies such as material science, structural integrity, NDT, surfacing, electronic packaging and cutting.
TWI is pioneering the manufacturing freedoms offered by metal based additive manufacturing technologies in the aerospace, military and medical industries. The event on October 3 will highlight the use of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), an additive process where a laser is used to melt metal powder onto a base material.
The process can be used to repair aero engine components or to build an object up layer by layer from 3D CAD data and is also being used in the consumer market.
When compared to subtractive manufacturing - approaches that remove material to form the shape of a work piece such as milling or turning - additive manufacturing reduces waste material, tooling costs and lead times.
Rotherham firm Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Ltd, worked with TWI to repair hydraulic pump shafts made from highly alloyed carbon steel that were previously being scrapped as they could not be repaired by conventional welding techniques.
Experts estimate that the additive manufacturing industry is expected to continue strong growth over the next few years, reaching a net worth of $3.7 billion worldwide by 2015.
The free seminar will discuss what is possible for the industrial use of the process and will include case studies from TWI members including Rolls-Royce and Smith and Nephew plus TWI development partners, LPW Ltd and Fripp Design and Research Ltd.
Two Rotherham firms that have taken part in Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, have both taken on new staff.
Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, and engineering design specialists, Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd (PES) are both based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP). They both secured a place on the Yorkshire version of the scheme, funded by the investment bank and run by the Leeds University Business School.
The programme enables SMEs to achieve their growth potential with targeted support and resources. Each participant undertakes the programme as a member of a cohort of 25 to 30 entrepreneurs. The core of the programme, undertaken by all participants, is a cycle of 12 modules each focused on a different aspect of business growth.
Since the launch of 10,000 Small Businesses UK in October 2010, the program has reached nearly 500 leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises across Yorkshire and Humber, the North West, the Midlands and London.
A progress report, published today, showed that two thirds – 66% – of participants indicated that, compared to the same period in the previous 12 months, their turnover had increased. 92% of participants reported that they are now more confident in their ability to succeed in growing their businesses.
The report also showed that 77% of participants are creating net employment after the programme, compared with 24 percent of the wider small business population. On average, participants reported an annual increase of 23 percent in their net employment.
In March, both Fripp and PES Ltd hired new designers.
On taking part in the programme, Tom Fripp, managing director of Fripp Design and Research, said: "The programme gave me access to a calibre of people, participants and presenters that I would never have had before. It was a privilege to be involved in such a high profile scheme, and we benefited enormously."
Speaking at The 10,000 Small Businesses UK alumni conference, Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said: "Our approach to 10,000 Small Businesses is that this is more than just philanthropy. This represents an investment that is self-sustaining and that has a compounding effect on local communities through economic growth and job creation."
Recruitment for the next cohort, due to start in the Autumn, is underway.
Experts from Fripp Design and Research, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, have reached the final of an industry competition that aims to develop 3D printing technologies to deliver real social benefits in the developing world.
The 3D4D challenge recognises a number of projects harnessing the benefits of 3D printing and Fripp has been working on a project for the manufacturer of soft tissue prostheses.
Working with the University of Sheffield and with funding from the Wellcome Trust, Fripp has developed a system to fabricate soft tissue prostheses for patients suffering from facial deformities as a result of disease or serious accidents.
Using 3D printing technology dramatically reduces the time and cost of manufacture without need for invasive procedures. A patient can quickly obtain necessary replacements without having to revisit the clinic.
Fripp Design's focus to date has been to develop a commercial offer for the UK National Health Service. With a top prize of $100,000 going to the winner, the 3D4D challenge provides an opportunity to develop a low cost system for the developing world so that people in local communities can manufacture soft tissue prostheses for themselves.
Tom Fripp of Fripp Design and Research, said:"We have developed the technology to be able to 3D print soft tissue prostheses but are now struggling to bring it to market in the UK because of the many issues surrounding ethical approval, which involve a lot of paper work.
"The UK does not have the same problem to solve [as the developing world] as there is no shortage of prosthetic technicians and NHS funding is often available. Our technology cannot quite match the quality of their work but in poorer countries such technicians are both expensive and scarce."
This is just one project that the experts are working on. Through a separate part of the company called Applied Industrial Design, technology and technical expertise is being applied to design solutions to address other healthcare problems.
Tom added: "It has taken four or five years to develop the technology for this project. As a business, we started out as an industrial design company and although we were aware of 3D printing, it was just a tool. We now develop products and processes for medical or healthcare providers."
The winners of the 3D4D challenge will be announced at the 3D Printshow in London on Friday October 19.
A workshop highlighting UK innovation and aptitude within the advanced engineering sector is taking place on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham later this month.
Organised by UK Trade & Investment and the Yorkshire Gold Business Club, the free workshop takes place on the morning of August 13 at the AMP Technology Centre.
Speakers include Roland Krain, research and development manager at TEKS, the French high tech company based on the AMP that is developing new products and processes for the manufacturing and structural analysis of novel materials.
Also speaking will be AMP-residents, Shirley Harrison, project manager at The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and Tom Fripp, managing director of Fripp Design.
It follows the Advanced Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive Sector summit at Lancaster House in London that will bring together some 90 or so global business leaders with British-based businesspeople to showcase British excellence through the use of a narrative on the strengths of the sector.
The London event will include a session from experts at Rolls-Royce on how super alloys have developed and helped Rolls-Royce maintain a competitive advantage.
The skills of experts at Fripp Design and Research were given national exposure this week as they helped The Gadget Show presenter, Suzi Perry win the latest technology challenge in the Channel 5 programme.
North One TV, producers of the programme approached Fripp, located at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, to get involved with the design and manufacture of a unique and technologically advanced prototype security bag for the show.
The brief for the gadget bag was to produce a prototype messenger style hand bag with a series of devices built in to maintain the bag's security. The bag senses if it is moved beyond five metres from the owner, if it has been opened by anyone other than the owner, and alerts the owner to the absence of its contents. When it is alarmed it flashes lights, has an audible alarm and can even dispense a thick coloured smoke to draw attention to its location and the fact that it has been stolen.
The brief was ambitious and the Fripp team had a very short timescale in which to complete the work. They leapt into action developing the initial concept and used an array of services from their portfolio including Concept Design, Computer Aided Design and development prototyping, alongside a collaborative approach using local suppliers Practical Control and A.M.E Prototyping as well as Liverpool based MC Products.
Together they ensured the end prototype remained true to its concept, satisfying the brief and providing a visually strong, fully working product to suit the show's style.
Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "We all enjoyed working on the project with the team from Channel 5, and as with many of our projects it was exciting to manage such a technically challenging project.
"It was fun having Suzi Perry and the production team here for the morning; we were particularly pleased when they told us that this is one of the best prototypes they'd ever seen. The local collaborative approach to delivering the end prototype worked well and we hope to be working with the Gadget Show team on future projects too."
Fripp Design and Research is one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies. They doubled the workforce and turnover in 2010 and also significantly increased its customer base, adding well-known names such as B&Q, Boots, Balfour Beatty, The Wellcome Trust and Sheffield University to its portfolio.
In addition to client work, Fripp Design are involved in a number of in house product developments ranging from DIY to healthcare.
Experts from Fripp Design and Research, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, have helped in an exciting product development challenge on Channel 5's Gadget Show.
Presenters Suzi Perry and Ortis Deley are tasked with designing their very own gadget bags.
As part of the project Fripp Design and Research used its concept and Computer Aided Design skills to develop a prototype of the complex and ambitious product that had to function and look the part for the show.
The team delivered and managed a collaborative project with several local partners to ensure the brief was reached within the extremely tight timescales.
The episode featuring Fripp Design airs on Channel 5 tonight at 8pm.
This is not the first high profile job for Fripp Design as they also helped to design the iconic Red Nose for this year's Comic Relief.
Fripp Design and Research is one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies. They doubled the workforce and turnover in 2010 and also significantly increased its customer base, adding well-known names such as B&Q, Boots, Balfour Beatty, The Wellcome Trust and Sheffield University to its portfolio.
In addition to client work, Fripp Design are involved in a number of in house product developments ranging from DIY to healthcare.
A project that would create a centre of excellence for the manufacture of medical devices in Rotherham is looking for support from the government's Regional Growth Fund.
Project Diam2ond will exploit the latest digital data acquisition and processing techniques (e.g. from CT-scan to bespoke medical device CAD-model), combined with appropriate additive manufacturing method(s) for the manufacture of patient specific medical devices.
This project will include additive manufacturing facility, to be located at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and Attenborough Dental (ADL) in Nottingham; equipped with dedicated equipment and appropriately skilled staff resources which are to be made available to all UK medical device manufacturers via membership of Diam2ond.
Project Diam2ond will be a national centre of excellence for the research and commercial exploitation of advanced manufacturing techniques in healthcare. Its focus is to help national (and multinational companies) benefit from a competitive supply chain in the same way that the supply chain for Rolls Royce and Boeing are gaining competitive advantage through their association with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, and Attenborough Dental at DenCity and their association with BioCity Nottingham.
The project is being led by Steve Roberts, director of AMP-based Fripp Design and endorsed by Sheffield City Council, Sheffield University, Manchester Metropolitan University and welding experts, TWI. Private sector support comes from device manufacturers and service companies, JRI orthopaedics, Sheffield Precision Medical, Techceram, CA Blatchfords and Sons, Attenborough Labs and Castle Ceramics Dental Labs.
Fripp Design are working with the University of Sheffield on a project to develop a system to fabricate soft tissue prostheses for patients suffering from facial deformities as a result of disease or serious accidents.
Rotherham-based AESSEAL and The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, both picked up awards at the Made in Sheffield Awards, held recently as part of the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield.
A gala dinner at Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield drew together a gathering of more than 300 business leaders, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield MP Nick Clegg.
The awards recognise the achievements of businesses and individuals that have done the most to embody South Yorkshire's tradition for craftsmanship and bolster the city region's international reputation.
Clegg told the audience that he was "convinced with every fibre in my being" that manufacturing would be at the forefront of a new model of sustainable growth.
He went on to stress the undoubted importance that the work taking place within the city's manufacturing and engineering companies is currently playing in the UK's economic recovery.
Clegg continued: "The hopes of the whole country are genuinely on what you (manufacturers and engineers) can achieve. Most of the hard work needs to be done by you. You are the innovators, you are the creators and you are the designers."
Chris Rea, group managing director of AESSEAL, picked up the Innovation Award at the event, which was sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University. The Templeborough company received the award for being a business where "innovation ran throughout the company and was being exported across the world."
AESSEAL is the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business and has an active research and development programme, reinvesting literally millions per year in further improving the designs. The company has 54 patents granted, with a further 46 pending, and operates 158 trademarks.
Chris Rea said: "I absolutely adore my involvement with the innovation process. Useful inventions are good for our morale, good for our customers and an essential ingredient for a sustainable business."
Fellow Rotherham firm, EMSc UK were also shortlisted. Alex Mardapittas, managing director, at EMSc (UK) Ltd, said: "We are proud to have been shortlisted for another innovation award. It is not too disappointing to have been beaten to second place by AESSEAL, the world's fourth largest seal manufacturer. Like us AESSEAL has innovation at the heart of its business. Well done AESSEAL."
Continuing the Rotherham-theme, Fripp Design and Research, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, designed the innovation trophy.
The Manufacturer Support Award was issued to The AMRC for its pivotal role in the city's manufacturing revival.
Earlier this month, The AMRC was named as part of the country's first Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC). The High Value Manufacturing TIC will be a national focus for advanced manufacturing research and development, with the scale and readiness to make an early and significant contribution to UK economic growth.
Rotherham companies that demonstrate their commitment to producing high-quality products can apply for the world famous "Made In Sheffield" mark as they have Sheffield "S" postcode.
Rotherham-based Fripp Design and Research has designed the innovation trophy for this month's Made In Sheffield awards.
The trophy is set to be presented to the region's most innovative business at a Sheffield Hallam sponsored awards dinner on March 24.
It was designed by Sheffield Hallam industrial design graduate Tom Fripp who now runs the company, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.
He was supported by fellow graduates Neil Frewer and Lewis Green.
Tom said: "We were determined to make the design of this trophy a Sheffield creation from start to finish.
"The technical knowhow, together with the facilities and resources we used, were pure Sheffield.
"We wanted to make sure steel, which is so associated with the city, formed the centerpiece of the design.
"To make sure the production process was innovative the design utilised tubular laser cutting, a relatively new technique and to help we enlisted the only tubular laser cutting company in the region who are based in Sheffield.
"I'm delighted with the finished trophy and looking forward to seeing it presented to the person who shares the same spirit of innovation."
What's funny, red and smells, and was designed in Rotherham?
Fripp Design and Research, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, has helped design the iconic Red Nose for this year's Comic Relief.
In the summer of 2010 Comic Relief approached the company to assist with the sign off of the Red Nose design for 2011.
During the design development of the Red Nose, photorealistic images of the proposed concept were required. With a very technically difficult brief, no 3D CAD and with a tight deadline, Fripp Design and Research used unique CAD technology, turning the work around and fulfilling the brief in very quick time.
The project was a crucial stage in the process from the 2D hand-rendered creative idea into a tangible product enabling the lead design to be signed off and the creation of a master mould.
This year's design sees Honkus, Chucklechomp and Captain Conk as mischievous new must-have monster Red Noses. Since the first ever Red Nose Day in 1988, nearly 60 million Red Noses have been sold.
Red Nose Day 2011 takes place on March 18 and noses are available from Sainsburys, Oxfam or www.rednoseday.com.
Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design said: "Although the process was demanding and required a high level of skill, all executed within a limited time frame, being able to contribute to Red Nose day in some small way was not a prospect we would have wanted to miss out on. And in keeping with the spirit of the event the team was happy to give their time to working on this project for free.
"We are just hoping the public take the new noses to heart and buy them in large numbers."
Fripp Design and Research is one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies. They doubled the workforce and turnover in 2010 and also significantly increased its customer base, adding well-known names such as B&Q, Boots, Balfour Beatty, The Wellcome Trust and Sheffield University to its portfolio.
The project made use of Fripp's experience in reverse engineering, 3D computer aided design (CAD), prototyping and project management.
The research has been backed by a grant from the Technology Strategy Board, the concept is being proven, and Fripp is working with commercial partners for further development of the technology through to a commercially available system.
The skills of experts at Fripp Design and Research were given national exposure this week as they helped The Gadget Show presenter, Suzi Perry win the latest technology challenge in the Channel 5 programme. 
Together they ensured the end prototype remained true to its concept, satisfying the brief and providing a visually strong, fully working product to suit the show's style.
Experts from Fripp Design and Research, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, have helped in an exciting product development challenge on Channel 5's Gadget Show. 
Rotherham-based AESSEAL and The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, both picked up awards at the Made in Sheffield Awards, held recently as part of the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield.
What's funny, red and smells, and was designed in Rotherham?
This year's design sees Honkus, Chucklechomp and Captain Conk as mischievous new must-have monster Red Noses. Since the first ever Red Nose Day in 1988, nearly 60 million Red Noses have been sold.
