Kibosh
Background
Ross Dickinson, Founder, Inventor & Technical Director of small, local firm Kibosh Ltd, initially developed the innovative Kibosh Rapid Pipe Repair Clamp for domestic use. Offering a quick and effective means of repairing leaking pipes, he recognised the opportunity to adapt the clamp for use within the oil and gas sector.
Providing potential cost benefits for industry clients by reducing and eliminating downtime from loss of pressure containment, the Kibosh Rapid Repair Clamp could increase asset integrity and provide easier and faster pipe maintenance.
Customer challenge
Developing its product for use within the oil and gas sector would be challenging due to the strict regulations for products used across this safety critical environment.
Seeking engineering design expertise, Kibosh approached the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) to find a suitable academic partner and was introduced to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC). OGIC part-funded the research project with the AFRC.
How did the AFRC help?
The AFRC has significant experience of developing high integrity products for use across various industries. Its Product Realisation team worked with Kibosh to develop its domestic pipe repair product into an upscaled proof of concept that would be suitable for oil and gas applications.
Ensuring the integration of relevant oil and gas industry standards, the team generated a comprehensive product design specification that defined requirements for two different product size designs.
Concepts were generated based on requirements and then modelled as 3D parts using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Parts for both design variants were then refined, guided by both Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the creation of physical concept models using the AFRC’s in house 3D printers.
Once refined, all the required parts from one of the design variants were machined out of carbon steel. This assembled one off metal concept model demonstrates the design and allowed Kibosh to present its device into the oil and gas sector.
The AFRC’s broad range of onsite manufacturing expertise has also supported method of manufacture assessment, providing guidance on suitable manufacture routes when upscaling to production, also signposting test houses and suppliers.
Business impact
The assembled metal concept model provided Kibosh with a physical demonstrator, which has enhanced credibility and contributed towards securing investment. This model, partnered with computer generated visualisations is used for display at industry trade shows to help stimulate interest in the product.
Outputs from the project will form the basis for a design pack, which will support product qualification and ultimately its acceptance by the oil and gas industry.