Integrity of Bolts and other fixingsCopy Link

Background

The client operates a  large number of buildings on which the steel sheeting and cladding is over 30yrs old. With locations in coastal areas, corrosion of both the fasteners and sheeting coupled with high winds often poses a particular threat of both exposing the contents of the building to the elements and causing injury to employees.

Currently the method used to inspect the condition of fixings is for a person to access and visually inspect, often working at height. Even then, the core strength, internal corrosion and tension will be difficult to establish and, added to this, both sides of the fixing may not be visible in many situations. This could mean a fixing is removed and replaced and then visually inspected as a gauge of condition.

The client is therefore looking for a solution that would allow either a machine or a person to identify the integrity of the fastening method and ensure that it is in a safe condition. This may be as part of an inspection routine contracted out or offering equipment that could be used internally. The aim is to enable greater assurance with reduced maintenance time. 

The Client would also consider interesting systems that may be capable of additionally working in other parts of the business monitoring fixings on plant and machinery and selected innovators could receive additional support from the client to take their solution to the next level of development.

Rationale:

1. Reduced safety risk
2. Reduced operating risk/chance of losing license
3. Reduced inspection and maintenance time and costs 

The challenge owner is actively looking for solutions that will:

1. Enable ease of inspection, possible from a distance without sight of whole fixing
2. Provide a measure or indicator of fixing integrity
3. Be able to be retrofitted and also used in new buildings
4. Potential of delivery of service

Whilst not limiting the technologies from solution providers, it is expected that solutions would consider innovations from some of the following areas:  

• Fixings manufacturers
• UK maintenance providers
• Operators from other sectors with similar issues, such as mining, oil & gas, road transport, aircraft industry or heavy industry
• Manufacturers of sensors
• Non-destructive testing contractors
• Photonics
• Measurement facilities
• Universities

The challenge owner will not consider solutions that involve: 

• Anything that requires access to both sides of the fixing
• Anything that can not be used with existing structures 

The challenge owner will only accept flying drones with exceptional capabilities as permission to fly in some environments can be difficult to achieve.

Rewards and benefits

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to the Challenger. The package may also include:

• Support from the Catapult networks and the KTN
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot 
• Technical support
• Invitation to attend or present at KTN or Catapult events
• A potential business collaboration
• Investor introductions (if investment is required)
• Support if any innovate or similar competitions are relevant

Functional requirements

• A method of inspecting or ensuring fixings are still within operational parameters after a length of time, maybe up to 40yrs (yearly Inspection)
• Fit for very large structures in coastal locations
• Applicable to work with new build designs and existing structures

Technical characteristics

• Single side access would be preferable
• Hand held, easily transportable or on structure indication required
• Ideally, data to allow trending would be captured

Operating conditions

• Coastal
• Often at height
• Difficult access
• Confined spaces

Deployment timescale

• Launch of the Competition: 3rd of September 2019
• Deadline for applications: 18th of October 2019
• Selection and notification of finalists: 25th of October 2019
• Solutions should be:
  • Ready for use, or usable ASAP
  • Here and now requirement

Cost requirement and market opportunity

• Costs will be proportional to deployability
• For the right product, the solution could be used across the clients portfolio and wider
• This challenge offers a multi year development opportunity for the right solution
• the solution may be contracted in as a service system

Eligibility and assessment criteria

Entrants to this competition must be:

• Established businesses, startups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs
• UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base

Applications will be assessed on:

• Established businesses, startups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs
• UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base
• Relevance to the topic
• Innovative nature of the subject
• Coherence of the proposed business model
• Feasibility/ economic viability
• Development potential
• Maturity of project/solution
• Ability to launch project quickly/Ease of implementation
• Price/quality ratio
• Suitability for the UK and European Market

IP and potential commercial route

• Existing background IP associated with a potential solution will remain with Solution Provider(s). Where any new IP generation is envisaged, it will be subject to the mutual IP agreement of the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Any commercial deployment of transferred solution or newly developed solution, through licensing, joint venture, partnership or direct investment, will be subject to the commercial agreement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger.
• Where necessary, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) may be signed to uphold confidentiality in the engagement between the Solution Provider(s) and Innovation Challenger. (This would be expected to be after company selection, it is suggested that details of IP not be disclosed, focus on the outcomes of the technology proposed).
• Innovate UK and KTN do not take any share of IP ownership or enter into commercial venture through the iX programme.