Services
We offer a one stop option for companies, ranging from SME to micro businesses, seeking assistance in the areas of new product development, design, technology application and close to market research. We also offer our services and expertise to companies producing small products, or giftware, automotive, ceramic, engineering, and white goods industries.
Our areas of expertise are, design, scanning and reverse engineering, laser welding and marking, surface finishing, anodising and colouring, investment casting, rapid prototyping, computer aided design (CAD), and computer aided manufacture (CAM). Training, mentoring and support is offered in all of these areas.
New product development
The Centre offers industry a holistic approach to new product development which provides clients with a "concept to prototype" solution to their design/product development requirements. In order to provide clients with their individual new product development solution, the team utilise their skills in design, CAD, CAM, RP, RM, CNC Machining, Laser welding and Laser Marking, and Investment Casting, maintaining close links between all departments and specialists within the Centre to ensure design continuity and unique product development opportunities.
CAD / CAM
The members of the CAD team have experience in product development from a wide range of industries. The team work with client companies on a huge variety of projects that employ the use of most of the commonly available CAD software currently utilised in industry. Each member of the team is proficient in at least two or more of these softwares.
Projects undertaken by the team can be generated directly from the client or via the Centre's own designers. The CAD team can if required develop further ideas or technical aspects of the project.
Once CAD files have been produced, the team can facilitate these being turned into master casting models using up to date RP equipment and casting technologies. CAD files can also be produced for other types of manufacturing such as CNC machining of dies and tooling.
Clients can choose to carry out any aspect of their project themselves, thus leaving them free to utilise the teams' skills in the specific areas that they require the most assistance with.
The CAD team also teach on the varied CAD short courses available through the Centre, providing clients with the opportunity to support their project with tuition sessions.
Design
Work undertaken is of both a contemporary and traditional nature according to the client's requirements but the team challenges and pushes boundaries to create exciting new products whilst working closely with the client.
The JIIC design team have worked for clients from a diverse range of industries / areas, e.g. jewellery design for both the bespoke and mass markets, in precious metals and materials for costume jewellery, silversmithing, lighting and lifestyle design, illustration, logos / marketing, trophies, medals and awards. The designers also play an integral part in training schemes, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, design consultations, mentoring and the short course programme.
As part of a product development project the client typically receives; a design brief, mood boards, trend / market research, initial designs, prototypes where appropriate, regular contact with the JIIC Design Team, design suitable for manufacture a portfolio of designs and presentation drawings of final concepts.
Casting
Work is undertaken in collaboration with clients and fellow JIIC team members to produce various metal castings from master models, prototypes, and a variety of moulds. Centrifugal and vacuum casting technologies are utilised.
A large percentage of the models presented for the casting process are developed and produced within the Centre using CAD/CAM systems. A variety of models are produced via various rapid prototyping systems, but hand carved bespoke pieces are also utilised, should the client require this. Once a suitable model is decided upon it can then be utilised as a master to form a mould. This mould enables wax replicas to be produced for the lost wax casting process.
Research and development is also undertaken in areas such as innovative process materials, mould making techniques, and related processes.
Surface finishing & anodising
The J.I.I.C offers expertise in a range of surface finishing technologies and applications. Services range from traditional hand finishing and embellishment skills that are married with the use of mechanical finishing and polishing techniques through to the use of purpose built aluminium anodising and titanium colouring plants which are ideal for research and development work and small scale production.
Hand finishing skills are utilised in areas such as the preparation of models prior to the casting process, and the preparation of any master models or samples that are not suited to the use of mechanical finishing. Mechanical finishing processes include the use of polishing motors and a range of barrel finishing machines that utilise a variety of media. This type of process has proved useful for finishing multiple cast units, one off test pieces, and a variety of materials.
The aluminium anodising plant is set up for decorative anodising and mimics exactly what can be found in industry, thus enabling the Centre to undertake research and development as well as small scale production work. Similarly the small scale titanium anodising / colouring unit is extremely useful for research and development and small scale production.
In this discipline the Centre has experience with the automotive, ceramic, engineering, white goods, giftware and small product industries as well as the jewellery and silversmithing industries.
Research and development is continually undertaken to broaden the portfolio of what the Centre can offer in this area. To support this, relationships have been formed with other professional bodies.
Laser welding and marking
The Centre offers industry a holistic approach to new product development which provides clients with a "concept to prototype" solution to their design/product development requirements.
Techniques used to create the prototype include CAD, CAM, RP, RM, CNC Machining, Laser welding and Laser Marking and Investment Casting.