Angel Helps Invention
An energy saving device applicable across all manufacturing sectors will soon be on the market, thanks to £80,000 business angel investment.
The SensSlip system, which has been developed by Sheffield-based engineer Robert Brown, automatically monitors the level of slippage in belt drive systems, which are used widely in most manufacturing machinery.
As belts slip, processes become less efficient, energy is wasted and belts are more likely to break, which means higher costs and higher carbon emissions.
Checking and re-setting belts is time-consuming so automatic monitoring ensures maintenance is only carried out when needed reducing down time and costs.
The potential for SensSlip was spotted by business angel Simon Smith at an investment forum run by the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels, of which Simon is a member.
Not only has he invested in Mr Brown's company, Sensdata he's also been helping to add additional features to the SensSlip monitoring system.
Mr Smith said: "Robert's original device displayed data on a LED screen next to the belt drive, which works fine for factories where an operative is constantly working the machine.
"We've now added the capacity for remote monitoring, so data from each device can be viewed online from any location and maintenance staff can receive email or text alerts when there's a problem with a belt. This will be indispensable for utility companies in particular, as they have many remote sites that currently they can only check occasionally."
Mr Brown, who is an electronic engineer,said he had come across the problem of belt slippage in two very different sector - the steel and pharmaceutical industries.
"When you explain to other engineers how SensSlip works, many can't believe they didn't think of it themselves first, it seems so obvious," he said.
"People believe in the device straight away, which really helps in marketing it. In the end, the simplest ideas are the best."
The engineer developed the device in his spare time and built the first prototype out of his son's Lego set.
With the help of some funding from Yorkshire Forward he later convinced local companies from a range of sectors including Corus and Yorkshire Water to let him test the device in an industrial setting.
With patents now lodged and investment secured Mr Smith and Mr Brown are now looking forward to a successful 2010 and beyond.
"The potential market for SensSlip is substantial both in the UKand in Europe," said Mr Smith.
"We're now recruiting sales staff and will be starting to promote the product to the manufacturing and utility sectors in the New Year."
