Distrupol aids development of next generation extreme environment video camera

Distrupol has again confirmed its position as a leading supplier of polymer materials and technical expertise with its contribution to the development of VEEcam, a recently launched extreme environment mobile video camera system. Involved from the outset of the project, Distrupol worked with the OEM, moulder and toolmaker to provide material selection support, assistance with part and tool design, as well as advice on the processing of 2K materials.

Invented and owned by Persides, a UK company at the forefront of digital electronics and mobile technology, VEEcam is a next generation system designed to meet the need for a highly robust, body-worn video camera giving high-tech performance. The VEEcam was originally designed to meet the requirements for the military’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology programme, relating to the provision of advanced surveillance systems for infantry operating under the harshest of conditions.

In addition to the military sector its principal markets are the police and security services, as well as extreme sports applications. These all demand a lightweight, ultra-rugged and waterproof construction, in addition to easy operation, quality image capture, extended recording time, large video or stills storage capacity.

Starting from a blank sheet, Crux Product Design conceptualised and engineered an innovative solution, incorporating an advanced composite chassis with an over moulded rubber outer surface, while woven carbon fibre components brace the housing to prevent excessive deflection. Further, given the target market sectors and commercial potential for VEEcam, functionality was designed from the onset to be in harmony with ergonomics and aesthetics.

“We chose Distrupol as a partner for this project mainly because of their positive industry track record,” says Tony Marsh, Business Development Manager, Persides Ltd. “The Distrupol team was also already well known to our moulder, NP Aerospace, with whom they have had a long successful working relationship, involving many key projects.”

“Of paramount importance from the start was Distrupol’s extensive portfolio and knowledge of both standard and specialty materials. Distrupol’s unbiased performance-based approach to their recommendation of the best materials for this component made an essential contribution to meeting our objectives. These were to design a world-class product that combined functional performance with aesthetics that satisfied the demands of our customers. And, to use state-of-the-art materials able to deliver an ultra-tough, fully waterproof lightweight system, employing the most cost effective design and manufacturing processes,” Tony Marsh adds.

According to John Nugent, Distrupol’s Development Engineer for the project: “Of the eleven major non-metal components of the VEEcam, ten are made from Distrupol supplied materials. This not only reflects the high performance value of plastics in tough applications, but also the broad range of them from which we are able to draw.”

“The mechanical and environmental demands on individual parts required a complex evaluation of a diverse range of material properties. This included suitability for volume production, ease of manufacture and design for manufacturing, as well as ergonomics, fitness for purpose and design for sustainability, in addition to mechanical performance. We worked closely with Persides, designers Crux Product Design, moulder NP Aerospace and toolmaker Dudley Associates, to ensure we reached the best solution for each of the parts,” says Nugent.

The materials used for the VEEcam include:

Camera casing	PC Nickel Coated
carbon fibre reinforced
Camera casing	Dryflex® SEBS	(VTC TPE Group)
outer body overmoulding
Camera body	PC Nickel Coated
	carbon fibre reinforced
Outer lens	Wonderlite® PC	(CHI MEI Corporation)
	(subsequently given an anti-scratch coating)
Camera mount	Wonderlite® PC	(CHI MEI Corporation)
Camera lens	Diakon® PMMA	(Lucite International)
Battery holder	Delrin® Acetal	(DuPont)
Spreader plates (clamps)	Zytel® glass fibre	(DuPont)
	reinforced PA
Outer lens and button	Dryflex® SEBS	(VTC TPE Group)
overmoulding
Lens gasket	Alcryn® MPR	(Advanced Polymer Alloys)
Lemo connector plug	Dryflex® SEBS	(VTC TPE Group)

Combining all the best features of competitive cameras in one unique, ultra-tough high performance unit, VEEcam brings ergonomic design and functionality that allows tactile single handed operation, even when the operator is wearing gloves. Key features include:

• Waterproof to a depth of 100m

• Ultra-rugged – designed to Military Standard 810

• Lightweight – 300g

• Extremely easy to operate in all conditions

• Low power – operates for six hours in continuous record mode

• Very large capacity – can store eight hours of high quality video or 8,000 stills

Following the initial promotion of VEEcam and its exhibition at the London International Dive Show and the International Soldier Systems Conference, pre-orders have already been placed by three separate UK police constabularies, the UK Ministry of Defence and more than 100 extreme sports enthusiasts.

Reader enquiries

Distrupol

www.distrupol.com

---

Notes for editors

About Distrupol

Distrupol provides plastics processors with the most comprehensive link to the world’s leading polymers. Underpinning its customer-centric, Europe-wide materials distribution business is a full range of technical and application development assistance to supplement customers’ own resources. Adapted to individual needs and local conditions, Distrupol’s services give the support that delivers optimised technical and commercial solutions. A subsidiary of Univar NV, Distrupol is a major distribution and service supplier to the polymer consuming industry in Europe and has market leading positions the UK, Irish and the Nordic regions, in addition to influential presence in the Benelux and Iberian markets. For further information please visit: www.distrupol.com.

About Univar

Univar NV is a chemical distribution leader in North America and Europe, with annual sales of approximately 6 billion euro. The company serves customers in key industry sectors from a broad-based product offering sourced from the world’s foremost chemical producers. Customer sectors include food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, natural resources, cleaning products and coatings, and they are supported through an extensive network of 163 centres located throughout the USA, Canada and 18 European countries. For more information: www.univarcorp.com.