Slipstream Design

Take a peek into our development lab

Slipstream Team — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:51:14 +0000

Want to know what an engineering design development lab looks like? Take a peek into Slipstream Design’s lab where we take ideas off the drawing board and develop products that solve real world problems. With full ESD protection, a whole host of electrical and mechanical equipment, surge testing and RF test equipment, we’re fully equipped to handle anything you throw at us.

With Slipstream’s 1000 square feet of dedicated development space in full flow, we’re enhancing quality further by introducing systems which enable us to track components from origin to finished product, ensuring premium, end-to-end quality in all that we do.

At the same time, our drive for continuous improvement carries through to new on-line accounting and stock control systems that reduce lead times, ensure consistently high quality and enable efficient buying resulting in cost savings which we’re able to pass on to clients.

For more information on how we can help you with your next development challenge contact us info@slipstream-design.co.uk

Slipstream joins wireless technology partnership

Slipstream Team — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:24:17 +0000

We were delighted when Yorkshire based technology company Tether approached us to develop wireless technologies for consumer applications.

Tether is an exciting technology company, set up to develop wireless technology products for applications primarily in the consumer markets. Tether heard about Slipstream Design’s expertise in wireless technology R&D and approached us for specialist support to develop wireless technologies for a number of exciting concept applications, including the protection of personal possessions such as laptops, keys, phones and other personal devices.

Tether wireless tracking technology typical product applications

Slipstream Design has since become a key strategic partner, driving the project with the knowledge and experience to ensure the technology is sure to be at hit on the high streets! Want to find out more about Tether Technology? Email connect@virtual-tether.com for more info.

To discuss how Slipstream’s in house design team can help you with your next project contact us at info@slipstream-design.co.uk

Slipstream take part in Gold 2012 km Challenge in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK

Slipstream Team — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:00:44 +0000

Earlier this year we announced Alzheimer’s Research UK as our chosen charity for 2012. The charity conducts world-class research to prevent, treat and cure dementia. We’re now gearing up for the latest of our fundraising exploits by taking part in the Gold Challenge 2012 km challenge all in aid of our chosen charity Alzheimer’s Research UK. The Slipstream Design team will be aiming to complete 2012 km by any of the accepted sports listed below;

- Running (jogging, road-running, on a treadmill or on a track)
- Walking (on a treadmill, on a track, rambling or hillwalking)
- Cycling (in a gym, on a track, on the roads or off-road)
- Swimming (in a pool or in open water)
- Canoeing/Kayaking (inland or offshore)
- Horse riding
- Rowing (on a rowing machine or on water)
- Sailing (inland or offshore)
- Windsurfing (inland and offshore)
- Wheelchair (track, road or in a gym)

We’ll be posting regular updates with our progress and our target to raise £2012.00 all before the start of the Olympic Games on 25th July 2012. So keep checking our Blog, Gold Challenge and Just Giving pages to stay up to date with our progress. If you’d like to help us reach our target by joining our team contact us at goldchallenge@slipstream-design.co.uk

For more info on the Gold 2012 km Challenge and how you can take part or even start your own team visit www.goldchallenge.org

Or to find out more about Alzheimer’s Research UK visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Finite Element Analysis – virtual testing of real world design challenges

Slipstream Team — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:04:30 +0000

FEA (also known as Finite Element Method) enables products to be tested in a virtual environment quickly and at low cost. Using 3D models we apply materials, loads and constraints to test, analyse and refine product designs.

Slipstream has used FEA to test products used in a range of industries, including automotive, electronics, mechanical engineering and renewable energies. The technology can be applied to most engineering disciplines including structural, electromagnetism, fluid dynamics, machine design, acoustics, vibration and thermal.

Basic steps to solving an engineering problem using FEA include:

De-featuring – we suppress or remove model geometry/features which are not required for the purpose of the analysis.
Preprocessing – we define the type of analysis, assign model material properties, determine loads and restraints then discretise the model (create a mesh / split the model into finite elements).
Solve – we compute results to the desired accuracy.
Post processing – results are analysed.

For many companies, FEA can be both time consuming and complex so outsourcing provides a perfect solution.

For more information about how FEA can help with your next design challenge, contact Slipstream Design http://www.slipstream-design.co.uk/contactus/

May we introduce….

Slipstream Team — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:21:19 +0000

Helen Chapple, our new “Girl Friday”. Helen joined us in September and is already proving an invaluable member of the Slipstream team. Helen deals with book-keeping and admin and is your first port of call for all general enquiries.

After gaining a degree in Mathematics, Helen spent a year in Australia, combining her travels with various diverse jobs – everything from fruit-packing to working at the Australian Bureau of Statistics!

Before joining Slipstream, Helen was a payroll manager for a heavyweight UK retailer. She now seamlessly blends her role at Slipstream with bringing up three small children (all under five – phew!).
“Slipstream is a forward-thinking company and I’m really enjoying helping the operation to run like clockwork”, says Helen.

Help us choose our charity’s for 2012

Slipstream Team — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:19:28 +0000

Help us choose which charity we should support for 2012. We have three charity’s in mind, Parkinson’s UK, Alzeimer’s Research UK, and Leeds Take Heart, we would like your help to just choose one. Simple select your choice on our charity page and in the New Year we will announce our 2012 charity. Thanks for more »

Design & manufacture of heatshields for an AC Cobra LeMans 289

Slipstream Team — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:00:25 +0000

We’re always looking for new and challenging projects, so when we were asked to design and manufacture heat shields for an icon from the classic car world, we jumped at the chance!

Our client wanted to fit custom made heat shields to protect the bodywork (and passengers!) from the heat generated by the monster five litre V8 engine.

To keep the client’s costs to a minimum, instead of 3D scanning we created handmade templates which could then be 2D scanned and imported into our CAD package.

Making of the AC Cobra LeMans 289 heatshield templates

Whilst it took us a couple of iterations before we were happy with the templates we were able to create some great results.

AC Cobra Le Mans 289 heatshield templates at the Slipstream Design office

Once the client was happy with the templates, we manufactured the panels by laser cutting them to our design.

Laser cut panel for the bulkhead of an AC Cobra LeMans 289

Fitting of the AC Cobra LeMans 289 heatshields


: Slipstream Design detailing on the bulkhead

For more information on our sheet metal service or any of our other services

Alternatively if you are interested in ordering our AC Cobra LeMans 289 heatshields drop us an email at sales@slipstream-design.co.uk.

Put our new services to the test

Slipstream Team — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:48:27 +0000

Our new services mean you won’t have to go anywhere else

In response to requests from customers, we’ve developed partnerships with a hand-picked team of technical specialists to offer you more comprehensive product development and testing services. Recent projects to benefit include automotive aftermarket components and performance enhancing training machines for elite athletes. Contact us for more information on:

- Extended product design and testing capabilities

- Reverse engineering

- Laser scanning

- 3D white/blue light scanning

- Surface modelling

- Full composite design / analysis / testing

Email us or call us on 0113 815 0046 to find out how your latest product developments will benefit. Read more about our new services here…

Design of a Prototype Optical Encoder for a Permanent Magnet Motor/Generator (PMM/PMG)

Slipstream Team — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:31:35 +0000

We were recently asked to develop a prototype optical encoder for a PMM/PMG machine. We developed the model as part of a larger permanent magnet motor/generator (PMM/PMG) assembly.

We created the 3D CAD model shown here to allow careful consideration of the sensor configuration for the correct electrical angle for the PMM/PMG. By creating a 3D model of the assembly, we were able to quickly and clearly understand how the model works, as well as check clearances and alignment of the optical sensors prior to manufacture.

Optical Encoder Assembly for a permanent magnet motor/generator designed by Slipstream Design

Exploded view of an optical encoder for a permanent magnet motor/generator design by Slipstream Design

Solidworks model of optical encoder assembly used for alignment

Oscilloscope plot of optical encoder outputs

This project is one of many where we use CAD to vastly reduce development time and overall project cost.

Our ability to work on complex electronic and mechanical problems means we’re able to offer you the best solution – whatever your requirements.

Find out more about power electronics or any of our other services

Contact Slipstream Design

Blogged by Slipstream Design Team

Phil Wilson – saddle sore but still smiling…

Slipstream Team — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:17:58 +0000

Braving the great British weather (wind, mist, rain, hail and occasional sun) I took to the saddle earlier this month for the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross. The event takes in the summits of Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent and comprises a gruelling 38 miles and 5000 feet climb. I guess I’m a bit of a veteran now, having completed this event thirteen times, my best time being 3 hours 28 minutes (18th position). This year’s time of 4 hours 3 minutes was no surprise given the punishing weather conditions – it was still a great day out!

http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/

Slipstream Design Phil Wilson The Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Challenge - Ribble Head

Slipstream Design Phil Wilson The Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Challenge - Ingleborough

Slipstream Design Phil Wilson The Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Challenge Penyghent Lane