Techpool offers workshop services to ETH members
Techpool is an ETH technology platform and supports ETH members in the design and manufacture of parts and assemblies.
Research projects and experimental setups regularly require installations made from a wide range of materials. Many departments have their own workshops for this purpose. But what if your own department is not equipped for the technology in question, or does not have the capacity to produce it at short notice?
This is where techpool comes in. As an ETH technology platform, techpool offers free advice on the production and assembly of individual parts and complete installations. On request, techpool will also prepare an individual quotation, place the order with internal and external workshops, and monitor and coordinate the process through to delivery. Thanks to a large network of workshops, almost all technologies are available. In addition, free capacities can usually be found at short notice.
techpool provides personal and individual support to all ETH members, from students to professors, regardless of their department or location, as well as to ETH spin-offs and partners from the ETH domain.
techpool produces waterproof housing
The following sample project started with a request from a PhD student at D-USYS. She needed a waterproof housing for an audio recording device for research into the communication of marine animals.
Step 1: Customer requirements
After a briefing and careful analysis of the requirements, the techpool team undertook the design and manufacture. The customer's specific requirements were implemented in detail throughout the project.
Step 2: Materials and design
A key aspect is the choice of materials. The housing had to be saltwater resistant and as light as possible. The design team therefore chose aluminium, which was protected against corrosion in the finishing process. The cover of the housing was made of transparent plastic to allow the display to remain visible during operation.
Step 3: Production drawings and tolerances
Once the design work was complete, the CAD drawings for production were produced. This requires precise calculation of tolerances and fits. An important principle here is: as economical as possible, as accurate as necessary.
Step 4: Cost optimisation through close cooperation
The well-coordinated teamwork at techpool helps to keep overall costs as low as possible. Potential cost drivers are identified and optimised at an early stage. As a result, all the mechanical components could be manufactured cost-effectively in ETH's own workshops. Only a few components had to be purchased externally.
Mission test passed
Today, the housing has already been used in various missions to explore the underwater world. The expensive audio recorder has always stayed dry.
Workshop services for ETH Zurich
techpool is ETH Zurich's central contact and coordination point for all workshop services.
techpool offers comprehensive support. The services range from personal advice to the procurement of the required workpieces, both from internal ETH workshops and from external suppliers.
- Creation of standardised detailed drawings
- Project support and execution
- Development and design of mechanical parts and complete systems
- Procurement and delivery of required parts and components
Further information: techpool
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