Design & development of a water testing device
Science & technology
Founded in 1991, T E Laboratories (TelLab) is an Irish-owned company focused on science and technology in the areas of environmental analysis, oil analysis, chemical manufacturing, research and new product development. Based in Tullow, Co Carlow, TelLab houses four laboratories, a production area and a dedicated R&D centre staffed by an expert, multi-disciplinary team of chemists, researchers and engineers.
Water testing prototype
This project focused on the design of a new water testing unit being developed by TelLab. The Design+ team at IT Carlow was asked to explore a means of securing the unit to a bank and incorporating the necessary internal electronic components and a removable cartridge system, containing both chemical and waste fluid. In addition, the team was asked to develop a visual identity for the unit, with the final design to result in a scale appearance prototype for testing purposes.
1
Irish company
28
years in business
1
direct-funded project
“We were delighted with the opportunity to work with the Design+ team at IT Carlow and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Mark Bowkett
CEO, T E Laboratories (TelLab)
The TelLab & Design+ partnership
The solutions were delivered through three stages:
Stage 1: Examination of TelLab’s water testing device was undertaken from a user’s perspective. This focused research identified two key areas for innovation – the main housing and the removable cartridge system. Within these two areas, there were a number of design challenges to be addressed: portability, tethering, loading/locking the cartridge system and overall usability.
Stage 2: The design team identified a number of creative and technical solutions exploring form, function and visual aesthetic. These solutions were presented to the TelLab team through 3D sketch modelling allowing them to make important decisions on the key aspects they wanted to bring into a single concept for further development.
Stage 3: This single concept was further refined and developed into a component assembly using CAD 3D modelling. Suitable manufacturing processes and materials were identified. Full-scale prototype parts were created using 3D printing for visual demonstration, testing and analysis.
The project will enable the client to move forward with communicating this new water testing device to the market.