Display Stands

Blueprint was commissioned by our client to design and build three interactive trade-show stands that display and demonstrate several products from their sub-sea oil and gas connector range.

Two of the stands were built around large water-filled glass fish-tanks measuring 1m * 0.5m * 0.5m, in which their connectors are submersed. It was a key requirement that the mating and de-mating of the connectors could be demonstrated to prospective customers.

Blueprints solution to the problem was involved a high powered linear actuator and slide arrangement to bring the connector halves together. Proximity sensors were used to control and limit the movement, as well as the necessary power supply protection, and additional logic on the control system to shut the mechanism down in over-current situations, or should it become jammed.

For visual interest, a third sensor and ‘automatic’ mode of operation was also added, that would periodically move the connector to an ‘almost-mated’ position, but not reduce its operational life, and a combination of lighting effects and air-bubbles are cycled to create a continuously changing display that would catch the eye of passers by.

The second stand additionally incroporated a video camera, LCD display and suitable circuitry that could demonstrate the capabilities of the connector on show, by sending the image through its embedded optical fibres.

The third stand required for the customer was to simulate a sub-sea oil-production well-head and show how the clients range of products could be used in this environment. This was to be a static display, but remain eye-catching to passers by. A similar design philosophy was adopted to the previous stands, where several options for the 2m high oil ‘production tube’ were considered to simulate the oil flow (ranging from air-blown polystyrene beads, to giant lava-lamps and other theatrical lighting effects). The final accepted design used a high-capacity air pump to force bubbles up a double-skinned acrylic tube, past coloured fluorescent lighting in the centre. The addition of an embedded logic controller allowed the pump, tube and other coloured lighting on the stand to “tell the story” of oil production, and the role that each of the customers components take.

All three of the stands were supplied with documentation, training and suitable accessories, that allow the operators to unpack and commission the stands as quickly as possible prior to their use.