How does a respirator know how much air to deliver, and when? It’s all down to technology developed and manufactured by DA Design Automation for global manufacturer 3M – technology that’s set to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Safety, part of the multinational 3M conglomerate, usually manufactures breathing apparatus for the UK’s fire crews. Right now, though, there’s an even more pressing need for the company’s know-how: powered respirators for COVID-19 patients and for the NHS staff working on the frontline to support them.
“Our powered respirators deliver eight hours of filtered air,” explains Steve Thurgood, Senior Engineering Manager at 3M Scott Safety. “That’s vitally important because it relieves NHS staff from wearing disposable or re-useable respirators. That gives them more time to care for patients, with less time spent switching equipment.”
The company, based in Skelmersdale, has seen an enormous increase in demand for its respirators. In response to that demand 3M Scott Safety has been working with DA Design Automation to help speed up the rate of production, reduce the size of the equipment and regulate airflow.
“The tuners DA Design Automation have developed for us calibrates an algorithm onto a pcb, which controls the airflow so the product delivers the right amount of air every time,” says Steve.
In addition, our innovations have helped halve the equipment’s footprint, and have been pivotal in helping 3M quadruple production. Now the new kit is about to go into service.
A history of partnership
This is far from the first time 3M Scott Safety and DA Design Automation have worked together. The businesses have been collaborating since Steve joined the company 13 years ago.
“Technology-wise they’re brilliant,” he says enthusiastically. “The quality is exceptional. Their hardware design ability is exceptional. The actual true engineering capability – as opposed to the integration of electronics – is phenomenal.”
The shorthand developed over more than a decade of working together has proved invaluable over the current crisis. “They know our products. That does count. If we were to find someone else it would be a matter of learning and the learning curve would be steep.
“The locality does come into it too. It’s easy for them to call in to us, or for us to go there*, so when it comes to sign-off, it’s easy to do. But it’s the quality of the work that comes first.
“I don’t think there’s anything they could do better.
“Would I recommend them? Yes definitely. I already have!”
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*This interview was carried out prior to the latest distancing restrictions.