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Mar 12th 2018

Newbury Electronics instrumental in helping Skalene scale the heights of electrical engineering

"Newbury have always delivered on time and allowed us to be efficient in bringing our projects to fruition;" Martin Horrod, founder, Skalene skalene

A leader in the field of EMC Design and CE certification, Skalene, has turned to Newbury Electronics for its prototypes and low volume production of high-value equipment requirements. The two companies started working together in 2010 and the scope of support that Newbury has been able to provide has developed in the intervening years.

Joint founder of Skalene, Martin Horrod, recalls; "Initially, we were attracted to Newbury's PCB Train service due to the simplicity of ordering online and the cost benefits of PCB pooling, which was a relatively new concept at that time. Since 2015 we have utilised the company's kitting and assembly service which, when combined with the free-issues Rs and Cs, gives us real value compared with our time ordering and maintaining the kits ourselves and shipping kits back and forth to subcontractors."

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Many of Skalene's projects involve early-stage feasibility studies of new innovative technologies where a number of prototype PCBs require fast turnaround for test and evaluation. One recent project involved an automated microfluidic sample handling platform for DNA library preparation. "Newbury were instrumental in allowing us to produce prototypes and tweak designs with rapid turnaround. The platform, based on a modular architecture, consisted of up to 10 PCB's per system of peltier temperature controllers, precision pump and valve controllers as well as interface and communication PCBs;" explained Martin Horrod.

"We pride ourselves on the speed and quality of our service and hearing from customers that this is making a tangible difference to their business is a powerful endorsement of our company;" said Philip King, managing director of Newbury Electronics.

Other areas where the two companies have worked successfully together are:

  • Pet care: A few small focused investigative works are occasionally required to de-risk projects in the early stages. Feasibility studies can be a crucial phase of successful projects and Skalene provides clients with detailed reports on areas of concern with solutions and results. Skalene provided Sureflap with feasibility studies, results and quality prototypes (with help from NE) for demonstrating and testing wireless internet connected pet care devices.

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  • Vehicle Telemetry: Combining a range of technologies, Skalene developed a 'black box' for vehicles incorporating a range of sensors and wireless connectivity options for monitoring and logging driver behaviour. With the capability of accessing vehicle data, the device provides live feedback for safer and economical driving style as well as long-term data storage for historical analysis offline.

  • Prototypes and low volume of FMCG production line equipment for QC monitoring. Skalene works closely with several FMCG industries and provides novel approaches to quality control challenges.

Background

Skalene Ltd was founded in 2008 by Dr. Julian White and Martin Horrod. The team of dedicated engineers has extensive knowledge in the fields of physics, engineering science, lab automation, software and electronic design. The company takes a flexible approach and innovative attitude to challenges to deliver success to its clients.

The company is recognised as an Authorised Microchip Design Partner, specialising in their entire microcontroller range. These have been successfully incorporated into a broad range of application from graphics displays and wireless communication systems to motion control and data acquisition devices. Expertise in the field of EMC design and CE certification allows Skalene to take projects through all phases of development. Clients are kept informed and progress reviewed at every stage of the projects life to enable designs to form in the best interest of the client.

Newbury Electronics Ltd has been trading for 60 years, during which time it has kept in step with changes in both electronics and manufacturing. It now offers its customers some of the most advanced contract electronic manufacturing (CEM) solutions available in the UK. Philip King became MD in 2011, and has overseen over £2m of capital investment in the last 5 years. The company provides a full electronic design, and PCB CAD layout service alongside PCB manufacture and assembly in Newbury, West Berkshire. It employs over 70 staff and is dedicated to the rapid manufacturing of small and medium batch PCB assemblies. Production includes SMD, SMT, surface mount, BGA, through hole, box build, soldering, test, & rework and videos showing the various processes can be viewed at Newbury Electronics

Customers can select from any of the company’s services and the company is happy to undertake single, bespoke projects through to the design and supply of manufactured lots exceeding 10,000 pcs on its nine automated SMD assembly lines. It has recently introduced an economical express same day PCB manufacturing service for orders placed before 9am.

As a contract electronic manufacturer, each year, the company produces more than 15,000 different PCB designs for its clients, who benefit from the economies of scale built from the volume of orders processed. To learn more about the company's capabilities visit www.newburyelectronics.co.uk or watch https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3oYzWgIouU