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Imetrum – Grant for R&D case study
Project summary
Bristol-based Imetrum Ltd has received a £50,000 Research and
Development grant from the South West RDA to develop the world’s
first 3D system that will monitor movement of structures such as
buildings and bridges.
Main messages
- Imetrum will use the grant to develop the world’s first 3D
structural monitoring product
- Using real time digital video processing, it will give
engineers a better knowledge of the way structures behave and move
when a load, such as cars on a bridge, is applied
- Once developed, the new product could open up a growing new
market that is expected to be worth £1bn within the next few
years.
Facts and figures
The £50,000 grant for Research and Development, delivered
regionally by the South West RDA, is part of a Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Solutions for Business
initiative. The scheme provides funding to help small and
medium-sized businesses research and develop technologically
innovative products and processes.
Case study
Imetrum Ltd, based in Bristol, currently makes a 2D system for
the materials testing market, which is used to assess the
mechanical properties of materials during the design and
manufacturing phases of civil engineering projects.
Having secured more than 50 orders for this system from
companies such as Airbus and Rolls Royce, Imetrum will use the
Research and Development grant from the South West RDA to develop
the first 3D product, which consists of a digital camera, tripod,
computer and specially designed software.
Using real time digital video processing, it will give engineers
a better knowledge of the way structures behave and move when a
load, such as cars on a bridge, is applied. It also measures the
effects of different environmental conditions, for example wind and
temperature.
As well as being used in civil engineering projects, such as
bridges, dams and chimneys, the system could also be used in the
automotive and aircraft industries to test large structural
components, such as car chassis and aircraft fuselages.
Because of the UK’s ageing infrastructure, hundreds of bridges,
dams and public buildings need to be tested regularly for safety
and to develop more efficient maintenance strategies.
Network Rail has over 50,000 bridges in its network, 50 per cent
of which are over 100 years old. The new 3D monitoring equipment
will give engineers measurement data in a matter of minutes
compared to traditional measurement techniques that take days to
set up. This will dramatically reduce costs and increase
efficiency.
Imetrum was founded in 2003 as a spinout from the University of
Bristol. More than 15 years of research and development has made
the company experts in the field of video-based, remote precision
measurement. The 2D Video Gauge product was first launched in 2007
and is now used both within academia and industry.
Conclusion
The South West RDA awards research and development grants to
companies showing opportunities for real technological innovation.
This grant will enable Imetrum to be the first to develop a product
that could ultimately lead the company to break into the lucrative
structural monitoring sector, boosting orders and creating new
jobs.
Further information
Date case study written: March 2010
Theme: Support for businesses during the recession
Contact: South West RDA press office by email news.enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk or
telephone 01392 229389