When Trevyn Rayner-Canham, a BA Industrial Design and Technology student in her final year at Brunel University, realised that she needed guidance in regard to the electronic elements of her personal stress sensor design, she turned to Newbury Electronics. With her project deadline looming, Trevyn needed to work with a company that could translate her rudimentary design specifications into a fully functioning PCB in just one week.
The initial mock-up electrical circuit was fabricated using connected stock electronics. However, after discussing the requirements in more detail it was suggested that using micro-electronic components would deliver a far more precise level of biodata capture. The challenge then was to get the board not only manufactured in time but, also to ensure that the electronic component would sit within a specified graphical shape that was key for the aesthetics of the sensor. This is highly unusual as many products are designed to fit around the PCB.
Trevyn explains further: “The function of the fabricated PCB is to detect when an individual is experiencing acute fear or stress. It does so by collecting biodata through the corresponding sensors on the PCB. I had previously made a mock-up electrical circuit for my project, however the functionality of the final PCB far exceeded that of my mock-up (which contained all the same components, but in the form of connected stock electronics instead of microelectronic components). The final PCB can sense the required biodata with a level of precision I thought impossible. I put this ‘miracle’ down to the Newbury Electronics team and the company’s PCB design and fabrication capabilities. I am just starting out in the industry, but can say, without a doubt, that Newbury Electronics will be my first port of call whenever I need any electronics-based services.”
Looking ahead, Trevyn hopes to progress with the product (which she has termed the “Knot Patch”) by cultivating the design and ensuring that it is sufficiently developed for the wearables market.
Background
Newbury Electronics Ltd has been trading for 63 years, during which time it has kept in step with changes in both electronics and manufacturing. It now offers its customers some of the most advanced contract electronic manufacturing (CEM) solutions available in the UK. The company provides a full electronic design, and PCB CAD layout service alongside PCB manufacture and assembly in Newbury, West Berkshire. It employs over 90 staff and is dedicated to the rapid manufacturing of small and medium batch PCB assemblies. Production includes complex surface mount assemblies, automated and manual through hole assembly, box build, test, & rework. Videos showing the various processes can be viewed at http://www.newburyelectronics.co.uk/newbury-videos/
Customers can select from any of the company’s services and the company is happy to undertake single, bespoke projects through to the design and supply of manufactured lots exceeding 10,000 pcs on its ten automated SMD assembly lines. It has recently introduced an economical express same day PCB manufacturing service for orders placed before 9am.
As a contract electronic manufacturer, each year, the company produces more than 11,000 different PCB designs for its clients, who benefit from the economies of scale built from the volume of orders processed. To learn more about the company’s capabilities visit www.newburyelectronics.co.uk or watch https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3oYzWgIouU
