V-LIM2 Integrity Monitor

Viper Innovations

Subsea Cable Monitoring

Marine Industrial Design, User-Centred Design, Material Science, Impact Testing, Design for Manufacture

Solving the problem of electrical cable degradation in harsh subsea conditions with real-time integrity monitoring.

The Journey

Viper Innovations provides award-winning products and services that deliver practical solutions to electrical monitoring and asset integrity problems within the subsea and rail sectors.

Their V-LIM product uses market-leading technology to transform their clients’ ability to understand the integrity of their electrical cables and detect any faults or failures.

We were approached by Viper to design their next generation product, the V-LIM2; offering their clients the same advanced technologies from V-LIM with enhanced monitoring capabilities and an intuitive interface for streamlined decision-making.

Designing Out Failure in Extreme Subsea Environments

Subsea cables are notoriously difficult to repair in harsh environments. At 4000m deep, intervention can be extremely expensive and laying new cable can cost over £1 million per kilometre. Continually monitoring the integrity of the high-voltage electrical cables in real-time, is the best long-term solution and can ensure safety and prevent failures before they occur.

The V-LIM2 was specifically designed for the energy sector to help keep critical infrastructure running; as such, they needed a new enclosure that would combine modern design and usability with industrial reliability. It also had to be designed with economical manufacture in mind.

Replacing damaged subsea cables can cost over £1 million per kilometre

Minimal Design with a Full Glass Touchscreen

Sustainably designed, we created a product for long-term use whilst ensuring it could also be disassembled for repair and recycling. With simplicity in mind, we designed it with a full glass front panel that seamlessly integrates the large touchscreen and high-resolution display, and the metal construction shields the electronics from interference, ensuring the entire enclosure is safely earthed. The unit was also designed to be retrofittable into existing cabinets and can be panel mounted or attached to a DIN rail.

The manufacturing process was considered throughout the project, from initial sketches to final delivery. The CNC machined aluminium body creates a premium feel, whilst also being cost-effective in lower quantities. This manufacturing process also allowed us to move the design quickly from 3D prints to final material prototypes, reducing the detailed design phase from months to weeks. We also minimised the number of fixings to speed up assembly for economical build.

Outcome

We brought our extensive knowledge of the marine industry and technical industrial product design to this project creating a contemporary product that was delivered on time and on budget, with a batch of prototypes supplied, ready for the product launch at the Subsea Expo.

A wide range of different concepts were visualised and analysed before final selection. Working closely with Viper’s in-house electronics team and various suppliers, we successfully dealt with any engineering issues, ensuring the final product matched the design intent.

The V-LIM2, with its sleek new design and transformational technology evolution, is set to shape the future of subsea asset management, monitoring and maintenance.

“I recently completed my first project with Realise Design, and I was thoroughly impressed with their innovative ideas and solutions. Working with their team was a great pleasure; they were exceptionally responsive and attentive to our needs. I am definitely considering Realise Design for future projects and recommend them to anyone looking for professionalism and creativity.”

Aurelien Petit, Senior Systems Engineer & Product Owner – Viper Innovations