CASE STUDY | ELDAPOINT
BACKGROUND
Eldapoint produces intelligent space
solutions for an array of sectors.
Specialists in container conversions
and modular unit manufacturing, they
provide a range of solutions, from
container conversions to bespoke
manufactured units.
Based in Knowsley Industrial Park
North, Merseyside the company designs,
plans, builds and installs space solutions
for clients. Their experience and range
of products includes pop up bars and
nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and
retailing space, as well as manufactured
solutions for specialist refrigeration units.
APPROACHING LCR 4.0
With over 50 years of experience,
Eldapoint understands the need for
innovation to remain competitive
within the industry. Currently using
printed catalogues and 2D drawings,
the company wanted to explore the
opportunities of investing in new and
modern technologies in order to reinvent
the way they communicate with their
customers and potential clients, nding
an innovative approach to accelerate
the design process and o er clients the
ability to virtually explore a number of
custom designs, before committing to
fabrication.
Eldapoint had a desire to ‘bring the
space to life’ for customers, allowing
them to explore space in a virtual world
before nal sign o and build. The
company wanted ideas to ow with
customers at the core of that planning
stage.
PARTNER SUPPORT
The Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC)
worked closely with Eldapoint, exploring
their current product line and 2D
catalogue of containers to assess the
best way to translate to a digital and
interactive record. The VEC suggested
exploring how the company could
take their existing CAD data to serve
as the basis for a virtual prototyping
demonstration. This would not only
showcase the containers digitally
but provide virtual interaction and
customisation for their customers,
which would include transferring the
current 2D drawings and converting to
3D renderings, adding authenticity to the
vision and catalogue which would look
more appealing to clients.
RESULTS
The VEC created a digital showroom
demonstrator for a number of products
which can be customised, allowing
customers to select wall colours and
textures, choose between oor panels,
window types and even add a range of
furniture and décor to allow the customer
to customise and explore a design
prior to committing to a design for nal
fabrication.
This VR experience allows customers
to rapidly re ne and approve draft
designs, using immersive technology,
reducing the number of costly design
changes that could incur after fabrication
begins. The technology allows Eldapoint
to build towards a virtual prototyping
approach that breaks down design
barriers while also overcoming physical
distances, using this technology to enable
clients to explore designs without having
to visit the Eldapoint factory, o ering
greater customer convenience.
Eldapoint customers can explore an
interactive experience, engaging directly
with the product to ensure they have a
realistic and creative view of the options
available, as opposed to imagining what
these could look like based on traditional
means. Eldapoint is also hoping this
enhanced customer journey will set a
path for how they and their customers
work closer, which in turn should increase
sales growth, deliver further business
e ciency and potentially change the way
the industry works.
Andy Blount, Eldapoint nance
director said: “Working with The Virtual
Engineering Centre at The University
of Liverpool has been creative and
innovative. The partnership has brought
something very exciting to the industry
that will drive new solutions across a
number of sectors for many people.
The process has been something that
truly demonstrates the value that can
be gained for commercial organisations
working in collaboration with the
educational sector.”
WORKING TO THE FUTURE
Working with the VEC has demonstrated
to Eldapoint the potential of creating a
‘digital twin’ of its products, not just for
planning and customisation purposes,
but also as a tool for engaging with a wider
range of stakeholders.
The digital assets used to create the
VR customisation showroom can also
allow for web-based planning and digital
customisation tools, allowing Eldapoint to
overcome geographical barriers and has
the potential to provide a higher degree
of planning and customisation through
web and tablet-based platforms, adding a
new dimension of resource planning and
supply chain visibility for the future.
FEBRUARY 2020 21