CASE STUDY

Tecman

This was the second time Tecman worked with TBAT, having previously used TBAT’s services to successfully obtain funding.

Tecman approached TBAT Innovation for assistance preparing a grant application to help obtaining £100K funding to support further development of their pioneering Dual Action Adhesive Tape (DAAT®).

The Project

In summer 2016, Tecman Speciality Materials (Tecman) approached TBAT Innovation for assistance preparing a grant application to help obtaining £100K funding from the Innovate UK Materials and Manufacturing call to support further development of their pioneering Dual Action Adhesive Tape (DAAT®), a solution for metal-metal, and metal-composite structural bond applications. This was the second time Tecman worked with TBAT, having previously used TBAT’s services to successfully obtain funding in 2015 to conduct a Proof of Concept project to generate the first iteration of DAAT®.

Need for funding

DAAT® is a major innovation to help reduce the use of adhesives in the automotive industry. Through its ability to bond metal and composites, DAAT® is a key enabling technology to help the automotive industry lightweight vehicles. Reducing the weight of vehicles is a strategy of paramount importance to help reduce CO2 emissions. Moreover, by replacing the need for adhesives, DAAT® reduces the requirements for jigs and fixtures to hold panels together as they cure, thus speeding up production line processes, and the need for costly equipment.

TBAT’s Assistance

After a discussion about the current status of DAAT®, and the work needed to support the next phase of development, TBAT and Tecman developed a project plan together.

The project is split into three major phases. The first phase is to conduct a research with key customers in the automotive industry to understand which metal-metal applications are most desired for DAAT®. The next phase will see Tecman complete computer modelling of DAAT® applied to key subcomponents identified from the customer research. Finally, Tecman will then manufacture prototypes of these components bonded with DAAT® to verify & validate the computer model predictions.

TBAT were able to guide Tecman through the planning progress, advising on fundable activities to expedite development of DAAT®, as well as helping to identify milestones and deliverables to drive the project forward.

Benefits of project to Tecman Speciality Materials

DAAT® will be a game-changing technology; with development expedited by grant funding, Tecman will benefit commercially from obtaining a first mover advantage position. Future sales of DAAT® will increase revenue, staff and manufacturing capacity within Tecman as a result of this project.

Bethan Roullier

Further Information

Get in touch with
Bethan Roullier

T: 01332 819740

E: info@tbat.co.uk