Butters Innovation Limited

Product Design and Innovation

Using Expertise Insight and Creativity to deliver real benefits to people and companies

Market sectors include: Medical, Rehabilitation, Industrial instrumentation, Consumer, Safety Equipment, Health & Beauty and Baby Products.

Disruptive, innovative and collaborative

Butters Innovation was formed in 2008 from one of the North of England's largest product innovation and design consultancies Jab Design - winners of many design awards. Our expertise is focused on working one-to-one with SMEs and individual entrepreneurs to develop innovative products and systems. We excel in taking initial ideas and delivering smart technological solutions employing prototyping and 3D CAD design. Our in-house engineering and scientific knowledge is complemented by our ability to solve real human problems and deliver commercial solutions that can be manufactured. Many years of experience has enabled us to build a very wide network of tried and tested UK and international manufacturers.

We operate high level quality standards and fixed price contracts. Occasionally we are invited to partner our clients and help with the commercialisation and financing process.

PS3 and Sani Mitz

We have worked with Da-Ta Industries for a number of years and helped develop a novel personal hygiene system, the PS3. The wall-mounted warm water spray handle is cleansed with Ultra Violet light between uses. A dispenser provides flushable, non-woven textile Sani Mitz mittens with an anti-microbial content. They are used for cleaning the toilet seat and cleansing/drying the user's body in conjunction with the water spray. The system can be used as part of an infection control strategy as well as for general personal hygiene.

The NHS National Technology Adoption Centre (based in Manchester) has just accepted the system for a full technology review. The Sani-Mitz system started as a personal hygiene product to enable Muslims to wash prior to prayer. However, after demonstrating the system to Medilink NW and Trustech (the NW NHS Innovation Hub), infection control applications were identified.

“Jonathan and his team designed and built a fantastic working prototype, commissioned primary research and helped greatly with the applications for grant funding, Innovation Vouchers and Creative Credits,” said the product’s inventor, Zahida Abbas. “We are delighted that the NHS has such faith in the concept and we are also exploring the Arab healthcare and hygiene markets.”

“This project is a good example of how strategic consultancy and industrial design can help to position a new-start client with a disruptive innovation, and help them raise finance and connect with key market players,” said Jonathan Butters, founder director of Butters Innovation.

Services Offered

• Design or Web design
• Business strategy, prototyping, finance, grant application, IPR support, industrial design

Sector Experience

• Biotechnology
• Building services
• Consultancy
• Environmental services
• General business services
• General engineering
• Healthcare
• Mechanical engineering
• Medical
• Precision engineering
• Research and development
• Waste management

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ACAL Flowcath Hydrogen Fuel Cell Visual Prototype

ACAL Energy had 8 weeks in which to produce a visual prototype that could communicate the compact size and portability of their Hydrogen fuel cell. The prototype needed to be convincing and look like a finished product. It also needed to be robust enough to be taken to trade shows and seminars.

“We had a very tight deadline and needed a physical model to demonstrate our unique PEM fuel cell technology at a prestigious international symposium. In 8 weeks and on budget, Butters Innovation designed and delivered a complete and convincing product.” Bob Longman, Vice President Engineering, Acal Energy

We rapidly designed a complete product using SolidWorks and incorporated the client's components. The model was made using CNC machined plastics and Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) Nylon. It weighed around 30kg, had stainless steel pipework and a working mini PC with touch screen. Internally were two lead acid batteries so that it could run without mains connection for several days. Although the fuel cell was not a functioning unit, real parts were used to get a convincing result.

Services Offered

• Design or Web design
• Prototyping

Sector Experience

• Consultancy
• Design
• General engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Precision engineering

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SPLIT! Key and Phone Security Device

SPLIT! is a fob based system developed to alert you when your phone or keys become separated from each other or from another fob. It is a very simple concept, relying on the short range of Bluetooth(R). The mobile phone is paired to a fob which is attached to your keys or your bag. When they are active but become separated, the fob and the phone alert you through a sound, a vibration and an indicator light.

Your mobile phone has a small software application on it that provideds the user interface for the system. Four design concepts were developed and a working electronic prototype commissioned to demonstrate the proof of principle.

Services Offered

• Design or Web design
• Software
• Finance

Sector Experience

• Communications technology
• Consultancy
• Design
• General engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Research and development
• Software design
• Telecoms

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Examples of Work

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  PS3 and Sani Mitz

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  ACAL Flowcath Hydrogen Fuel Cell Visual Prototype

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  SPLIT! Key and Phone Security Device