Computer Aided Design

CAD software packages have been around for decades and are completely integral to modern design. Almost nothing exists in the real world without first being schemed on a computer first. This allows analysis and fault detection to take place before any expensive or resource intensive manufacturing takes place. It also allows design solutions to be shown and demonstrated to non technical users who often have invaluable input.

DIDSA can leverage decades of CAD experience in a multitude of software packages to model and modify designs. It makes an appearance in almost every project and allows ideas to be visualised, demonstrated, tested and revised. Without it design projects would take significantly more time and resources.

3D Printing

DIDSA have Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) capabilities enabling rapid prototyping and low volume production. New ideas can progress through the iterative process of idea-design-prototype in hours. This enables engineers to remain engaged and excited as creativity flows seamlessly into reality.

3D printing is useful in many projects at DIDSA. It can be the central focus of a trial to learn more about this new method of manufacturing or it can play a supporting role where the goal is focused elsewhere. In either scenario, it is a central and game changing addition to any R&D department removing delays and accelerating progress by bringing manufacturing options to the desktop.

Drone Technology

Drone technology has exploded in the last decade. The skies were once exclusive and largely inaccessible but now they are open for business. DIDSA operates aerial photography and cinematography equipment which enables us to view the world from new perspectives. This can be for artistic or technical gain capturing the beauty and metrics of our worlds.

Drone technology often appears in projects and is usually a supplementary technology used to gather images and videos. These are generally processed using third party software to generate final cut videos or 3D representative scans complete with high resolution textures. Family videos, aerial surveys and terrain analysis are all key areas where this technology thrives.

3D Scanning

3D scanning has been around for a while, what is truly revolutionary is it’s accessibility. Once only found in organisations with deep pockets, it can now be placed in schools, universities and SME’s. It’s uses are only just becoming apparent and this will undoubtedly be a technology full of surprises.

DIDSA has access to metrology grade scanning equipment capable of producing submillimetre accurate models of objects up to a cubic metre in size. This can be used to produce digital models of real world objects for design, inspection, measurement, digital twinning, wear monitoring, and more. For larger scale models, photogrammetry techniques are used to generate models of landscapes, buildings, and geographical features.

Microcontrollers

Think of a microcontroller as a person that measures the world around it and makes changes according to what it sees. They can be connected to a vast range of sensors and process the information to make preset decisions. For example, a microcontroller reading the humidity of soil can open a tap to water a plant.

Electronic control systems are not new, what is exciting is their simplicity thanks to projects such as Arduino and RaspberryPi. These simple, low cost options allow microcontrollers to be used in projects with minimal risk of loss. They have enormous support networks online with tutorials and guides available to anyone with the interest and patience to learn.