CorinTech Design
SUERC Case Study
SUERC provides equipment and expertise to universities of the Scottish consortium. Their main strengths are in geochemistry, radiochemistry and isotope biogeosciences. SUERC also markets specialist laboratory equipment for sample analysis using luminescence. This equipment is used in the dating of geological samples, but its principal use is in the detection of irradiated foods against levels published by the Foods Standards Agency.
SUERC visualised an instrument, which linked to a host PC running dedicated control and analysis software, and offered a plug-n-play interface via USB.
Our proposal encompassed development of the PC software, and the design of the highspeed electronics, capable of performing complex control functions, and communicating over USB to the host PC.
We produced electronic prototypes to prove concepts as early as possible. This enabled us to begin work on firmware development ahead of schedule.
Our in-house CAD expertise covers many of the market leaders, giving us a choice of systems when considering schematic capture and PCB layout. Cadstar offered the 'best fit' for this project. Whilst there were no PCB space constraints, there were areas, where layout was critical.
The PC software was developed in VB, as this offered the quickest route to satisfying the client's need for a reliable software platform with an uncomplicated interface.
A variant of this device has recently been used for Tsunami deposit analysis in Thailand.
This instrument has been highly successful in securing this specialist market. Sales are going from strength to strength.
