BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
GEKKO TECHNOLOGY
About INDEX
INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) is a unique demand-led innovation voucher scheme led that invites Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for a voucher to purchase academic support from one of the 13 Higher Education Institutions in the West Midlands. The project is funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovation Vouchers allow SMEs to purchase academic expertise knowledge to develop their innovation and enhance their business.
The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to build links between Universities and SMEs to create a demand led approach to innovation.ABOUT THE BUSINESS: Gekko Technology
Unit 4
Gallery Works
Common Lane
Kenilworth CV8 2EL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1926 863366
sales@gekkotechnology.com
Email: sales@gekkotechnology.com
Telephone: 01926 863366
Website: www.gekkotechnology.com
Main Contact: Mr David Amphlett
Gekko Technology design and manufacture LED lighting products for the film, television, photographic and entertainment industries. Gekko products are designed with the user and application foremost in mind – solving technical and functional shortcomings with robust, durable, professional instruments.
INNOVATION
Innovation (5) Creative Industries/Digital Media/Software, Media and Communications
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Employed the electronic design services of Staffordshire University Electronic Design Team to collaborate and design electronics for a DMX control module for their existing and future lighting systems.
Produce a DMX interface for the evolutionary low power LED lighting systems. The interface allows the product to be used by a wider variety of customers in a wider application area.
The design work and subsequent module will enable great sales for the company, ensuring increased profitability and protecting jobs and enable Gekko Technology to stay ahead of the competition.
WORK UNDERTAKEN
Carried out the following activities relating to the design and development of DMX lighting controller
Interface for use with Gekko Technology Ltd lighting products.
- Designed Circuit Board
- Designed PCB
- Assembled and tested two PCBs
- Produce all necessary documentation to enable DMX controller electrics to be manufactured.
ABOUT THE HEI: Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University
College Road
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 2DE
ABOUT THE ACADEMIC
Professor Steve Grainer, Lecturer Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology
Prof Steve Grainer works at the Electronics Design Centre originally funded by the DTI to give advice and assistance to SMEs. This centre is now run on a commercial basis and offers design and prototyping consultancy on a variety of technologies ranging from embedded systems to PCB design and EMC and CE marking