Innovative Insulation Fixing and Hanging Devices

Insumate Ltd is a Cumbrian based Small to Medium sized Enterprise (SME) specialising in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of products relating to insulation for the construction industry.

Assistance required

When the company approached Lancaster Product Development Unit (LPDU) they had developed an innovative method of positioning and installing house insulation at build stage, which ensured the insulation was kept off the ground and aligned correctly.

The company however was struggling to produce accurate prototypes to test out the geometry. Engineering Design Academy expertise was therefore required, through the SusDRAM:EDA project, to create Computer Aided Design (CAD) models that could then be used with the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process to produce accurate prototypes.

Project outcomes

Numerous SLS prototypes were produced to test out different geometries in a very short time scale, mitigating the need for costly tooling or time consuming subtractive manufacturing methods. The design was also modified to optimise performance and to allow for a bespoke tool to drive the insulation screw.

Testing carried out by Insumate on the prototypes led to confidence in getting a final mould tool produced for the first production run.

Funding overview

This work was part financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the SusDRAM:EDA project, which provides SMEs in the North West of England with mechanical engineering support. For further information please contact the on 01524 594298.