Consultancy brings lock to market quicker

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 21, 2006

UK locker and cubicle manufacturer plans to speed up the introduction of novel lock incorporating active latch component by three months by working with international engineering consultancy.

Locker and cubicle manufacturer Helmsman plans to speed up the introduction of its lock, incorporating Servocell's active latch component, by three months by working with DSM Soft, an international engineering consultancy and the latest recruit to Servocell's Proactive Partnership.

The lock will be incorporated into Helmsman's Hoboband, which provides cashless, keyless access for leisure environments.

Working with DSM Soft will enable concurrent development across the different engineering disciplines and reduce costs as Helmsman will not have to invest in more software and training to do the development itself.

Helmsman, a specialist in sheet metal fabrication, needed engineering expertise in casting and moulding to produce the product as fast as possible.

DSM Soft has worked with Servocell on several active latch product designs and has that capability.

Added to Helmsman's expertise and market insight, the design work for the product can be completed several months ahead of schedule.

"Our commitment to research and development has been key to our success", said Anne Rivett, Managing Director, Helmsman.

"We are constantly looking for ways to benefit our customers".

"The product that we are developing with DSM Soft incorporating Servocell's active latch technology will give our customers greater security, lower running costs and reduced maintenance".

"That's why we want to get it to market as soon as possible".

DSM Soft is an engineering design consultancy with over 1000 employees worldwide, and became part of the Servocell Proactive Partnership after completing the design for the manufacture of a furniture lock.

Through its close working relationship in the development of the prototypes for the lock, Servocell was able to introduce DSM Soft to Helmsman as a resource to undertake the time-consuming detailed design stage.

Simon Powell, CEO of Servocell, said: "The original idea behind the Proactive Partnership was to link our lock customers with access control companies, but it quickly became clear that adding in the design dimension was going to make the partnership much more powerful".

Using the prototype design from Helmsman and a detailed development specification, DSM Soft was commissioned to create a full 3D manufacturing pack using the most up to date CAD packages.

"DSM Soft is delighted to be working with such a long established, innovative engineering company as Helmsman as well as Servocell", said Sathish Kumar, Technical Sales and Marketing Manager for DSM.

"We offer complementary skills that are vital for the multi-discipline projects that are common for engineers today".

"Because Servocell has used our services, we have built up a good understanding of active latch and this supported our work for Helmsman and will enable us to complete it more quickly".

Helmsman develops bespoke products for anywhere that people have to change their clothing or leave personal belongings, ranging from leisure to education and the workplace.

The company is adding to its range of keyless lockers.

3D engineering modelling is part of DSM Soft's portfolio of consultancy services for technology based industries, from software companies through to physical engineering.

DSM Soft's emphasis on project management and ensuring that the skills are available wherever most effective, whether that is in the customer's country or offshore, helped ensure the success of the project.