Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

AXYS Technologies (AXYS), a global leader in developing innovative marine technologies for applications such as offshore wind resource assessment, environmental monitoring, and real-time weather forecasting, faces a significant challenge. The electrical enclosures in their buoy systems, sourced from commercial suppliers, protect critical components and sensors from harsh ocean conditions. These enclosures have a finite product lifecycle, and when suppliers stop producing them AXYS must undergo costly and time-consuming redesigns to accommodate new enclosures. This redesign process incurs substantial costs and causes delivery delays that can lead to lost sales and dissatisfied clients. AXYS recognizes the need for a more sustainable solution to this recurring problem. They propose developing a parametric enclosure design tool that will allow them to create custom enclosures tailored to their specific needs. This tool will enable AXYS to quickly generate 3D models and manufacturing drawings by specifying the necessary dimensions, which can then be sent to manufacturers for production. By controlling the design and intellectual property of these enclosures, AXYS can ensure they meet all required standards for water and corrosion resistance while also having the flexibility to choose and collaborate with multiple local fabricators. Camosun Innovates (CI) will partner with AXYS Technologies to develop this tool, ensuring the enclosures meet all necessary standards and are optimized for manufacturability. By enabling AXYS to rapidly generate and customize enclosure designs, we will help them eliminate their dependence on third-party suppliers, reduce redesign costs, and prevent delivery delays. This project will enhance AXYS's ability to meet customer demands, improve product efficiency, and maintain their position as a leader in marine technology solutions. The project is expected to significantly benefit AXYS by eliminating reliance on third-party electronics enclosure manufacturers, thus reducing costs and avoiding urgent design changes due to stock shortages. By controlling the intellectual property of enclosure designs, the organization can work with chosen fabricators globally, ensuring timely and quantity-specific production. Additionally, custom enclosure dimensions will allow for more efficient use of space in buoys and land stations, accommodating customer demands for more features and improving overall product efficiency.