QZM design Christmas tree

Nautical inspiration

QZM's design Christmas tree is heavily inspired on the design spiral originally created for the naval architecture industry.

The original design spiral is a cyclical process of refinement and iteration. It has been a valuable tool in naval architecture for decades. Originating in the mid-20th century, it recognises the inherently complex and multi-disciplinary nature of ship design by forcing the reconciliation of many specialisms, typically:

• Specifications

• Structural design

• Stability

• Propulsion

• Hull and deck engineering

• Plumbing, mechanical and electrical

• Code compliance

• Cost

• etc

This iterative approach accommodates the evolving nature of ship design, where initial assumptions and requirements may change as the project progresses. The design spiral has been instrumental in streamlining the ship design process, reducing development time, and improving the overall quality of naval vessels. It has also been generalised and adopted to guide the design of other marine structures in recent years.

This article on LinkedIn expands on the importance of this tool.

From sea to stars

One other tool for systematic development was introduced by NASA in the 1970s: the concept of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

Recognizing the need for a standardized way to assess the maturity of technologies and reduce the risk associated with space exploration, NASA developed a nine-point scale to track the progression of a technology from basic research to full-scale deployment. This framework has since been widely adopted across various industries, including defense, aerospace, and automotive, providing a common language for discussing the maturity of technologies and facilitating informed decision-making.

Because this framework is meant to serve a wide range of industries, we find it often comes in a bit too generic. It may help to consider the development of a specific product to follow along each TRL. In the text below, we look at a hypothetical company that identified the need to develop a hypothetical fast water weather buoy after observing that typical weather buoys get pulled underwater when the water current in a stream is too strong.

TRL 1-3: Basic Research

TRL 1: Basic Principles Observed: Initial research into hydrodynamic principles, materials science, and electronic component selection for a buoy capable of withstanding fast currents.

TRL 2: Technology Concept Formulation: Conceptual design of the buoy, including its shape, size, and anchoring system. Initial simulations and calculations to assess its performance in fast currents.

TRL 3: Proof of Concept: Laboratory testing of small-scale models to validate the basic design principles. This could involve testing in a water tank or wind tunnel to assess hydrodynamic forces and structural integrity.

TRL 4-6: Technology Validation

TRL 4: Technology Validation in Lab: Testing of a full-scale prototype in a controlled environment, such as a large water tank, towing rig on a lake or calm bay or in a site with predictable, low stress conditions. This would involve testing the buoy's stability, mooring system, and sensor performance.

TRL 5: Technology Validation in Relevant Environment: Field testing of the buoy in a real-world environment with moderate current conditions. This would involve deploying the buoy for a limited period to assess its performance and identify any necessary modifications.

TRL 6: System/Subsystem Model or Prototype Demonstration: Extensive field testing of the buoy in a location with strong currents, similar to the intended deployment site. This would involve monitoring the buoy's performance over an extended period, collecting data on its stability, sensor accuracy, and power consumption.

TRL 7-9: System Prototype Demonstration

TRL 7: System Prototype Demonstration in Operational Environment: Deployment of the buoy at the target site with continuous monitoring and data collection. This would involve assessing the buoy's long-term reliability, maintenance requirements, and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.

TRL 8: System Complete and Qualified: Finalization of the buoy's design and manufacturing processes. Extensive testing to ensure compliance and, if required, qualification with relevant regulatory body.

TRL 9: Actual System Proven in Operational Environment: Successful long-term deployment of multiple buoys at the target site. The buoys should consistently provide reliable data and require minimal maintenance.

By systematically progressing through these TRLs, the developer can ensure the successful design and deployment of a fast water buoy product line that can withstand harsh marine environments.

For more information on TRLs:
NASA website: Technology Readiness Levels Demystified

Wikipedia: Technology readiness level

QZM helps crossing the Valley of Death

The "Valley of Death" is a well-known challenge in the innovation landscape, referring to the gap between TRL 4 and TRL 7. This is the stage where promising technologies struggle to transition from laboratory prototypes to market-ready products.

This critical phase is often characterized by significant financial burdens, as companies face substantial costs associated with scaling up production, conducting rigorous testing, and securing regulatory approvals. The challenges of navigating this valley can lead to many promising innovations failing to reach commercialization, resulting in significant losses for investors and missed opportunities for society. 

QZM can help you bridge this gap. More than ten years experience in Research and Development (R&D) has provided the necessary tools and know-how to reduce the risk associated with these cost-heavy TRLs. Starting with first principles physics, building on them with design simulations and combining our experience with fabrication and testing campaigns across our network, we assure our clients are well equipped to reduce development costs, accelerate time-to-market, and ultimately steer their innovations through the Valley of Death and towards commercial success. 

QZM design Christmas tree

Our design Christmas tree is a visualisation tool of our approach to each engineering challenge.

It adapts the naval architecture design spiral to accommodate broader mechanical engineering aspects and it also provides a visual cue of how a solution is honed in as it increases its TRL.

For more detail on how to interpret our design Christmas tree, head on to our About page.