Tiab News

Improved on-line help. Some customers asked for easier access to help, manuals and specification documents. We have responded with a new on-line help page that gives immediate access to the main support documents, with hyper-links to manuals, specifications and a help query area.

Your customer username and password is required for access.

Two more Test House companies standardise on Tiab Controllers. With bulk orders (of six and ten) two leading UK Test Houses have now decided that Tiab controllers will be their factory standard.

Automated rack calibration. Our calibration procedure has now been fully automated to provide higher accuracy and reduced testing time by 80%. This ties in with Tiab providing high accuracy, plug-in modules for system upgrades.

Complete range of modular plug-in boards are released. This reduces the initial outlay to the immediate requirement. On-site upgrades can be simply achieved by plugging in new boards, as and when required.

Bespoke, Multi-Axis, Bio-mechanical Test Rigs. With the build of the new Cartilage test stand Tiab have firmly established themselves as a leading UK supplier of multi axis, bio-mechanical test solutions. Positional control to fractions of a micron, coupled with high fidelity force control allow for fatigue testing and specimen characterisation. Surface scanning is achieved with higher accuracy lasers and cameras.

Environmental Engineering magazine run the article Taking Control covering some of Tiab's recent developments.

Volume assembly reduces costs. The electronic boards are now being assembled with automated component placement. This has reduced the board build and testing time and dropped the overall costs in excess of 35% - a saving that is being passed on to our customers.

Tiab continues to grow and grow.
A year focused of R&D and the world wide recession still didn't stop Tiab, yet again, posting a new record turnover in this years accounts.

Tiab finalise Multi-System software that allows up to four separate test rigs to be independently controlled from a single controller.

Tiab release Expansion Module which can provide up to 128 channels of analogue inputs, digital inputs, encoders or counters.

Tiab replacement for Kelsey K7500. The Tiab controller can now be provided as a pin-compatible replacement for the K7500 - allowing all the existing looms to be maintained. The cost effective upgrade is compliant with modern machine safety standards. It transforms the testing capability and scope to modern-day levels and includes built in data logging and replay functionality as standard.

23rd February, EIS Exhibition. The high successful Engineering Integrity Society exhibition (covering Instrumentation, Analysis & Testing) will be held at the Silverstone race track. If you want to see why Tiab are head and shoulders above the competition then come and meet us and them. An informal atmosphere with a diverse range experience, companies & technology - and a free lunch, make it an invaluable day out.

A huge demand for Digital Controllers from the Formula One, Automation, MOD, Transport, Universities and Medical professions has already produced a back log of orders well into 2010.

Tiab's slick support. To completely upgrade single axis test machines Tiab engineers are in and out in a day, so installation costs and disruption are minimal. Tiab are again re-defining what can be achieved with an efficient company and design .

Tiab now offer EtherCAT the new open, super fast, deterministic network protocol developed by Beckhoff. In a characteristically modular Tiab way it hugely increases the interconnection potential of Tiab controllers and other electronic systems - in real-time.

3-stage servovalve loop-closure electronics . Tiab formerly release their 3-stage loop-closure electronics that runs in conjunction with the Tiab Card Nests. Another break through in simplicity of control.

Tiab continues to grow.
The last financial year was the best in Tiab's history with turnover increasing a staggering 40% above last year - which was the previous record high.

Tiab introduce compact joystick incher.
The inching and specimen protect features have proved increasingly popular, so we have added a compact joystick version to our remote controls range.

Tiab clinch development grant. Another technical and financial endorsement that recognises the massive potential and scope of our systems. This development will enhance specific aspects of our design, manufacture and support.

Tiab come clean on how they can be so highly competitive. We appreciate that you don't get something-for-nothing so we accept that our costs exclude those for :

- expensive sales and marketing schemes
- an inefficient, badly run company
- maintaining dated designs
- poor communication, experience and motivation
- re-inventing the wheel in-house

Tiab exhibited at the EIS, Analysis & Testing Exhibition at the Silverstone. As always a friendly and popular event for all those involved. Tiab again stood out as the provider of one of the biggest innovations in the testing Industry for many years.

Tiab extends warranty to two years. The consistently high reliability of our Digital Controllers means we are happy to extend our warranty to two years. Together with our internet customer support areas, fast response and inherently low maintenance modular designs, we offer unparalleled support and peace of mind.

When Tiab promised "a flexible Digital Controller, that would readily accommodate all your testing needs", it caught-on more than we thought. It is now being used in pharmaceutical and bio-diesel production, as well as vehicle safety, vehicle component test, materials test, vibration, medical, aerospace, motorsport, rail, R&D labs, test houses, production test, gearbox dynos and wind-tunnels .. to name a selection.

System and software durability tests. Two simultaneous, one hundred million cycle tests, started in June this year (see below) have run continuously through power cuts, Windows system upgrades and virus scans.

Tiab staff give their all and also give blood.
A pleasant idea for us to donate blood received unanimous approval and we duly obliged. Nicky, the only one to have donated before led the way - and fainted. We were all there to catch her, a super team effort.

Tiab release the New four & eight channel Card Nests.
These robust units are now the backbone of our signal conditioning range. These two robust units supplemented the sixteen and thirty-two channel (19 inch rack mounted) transducer conditioners.

August

Tiab finalise orders with two major materials test houses to upgrade their existing control systems.

Best month to date.
Tiab's promotion is based on recommendations, exhibitions and word-of-mouth. A good early start in the year rewarded us in June with the highest number of monthly orders in Tiab's history.

June

Tiab software and electronics start a long term reliability & robustness validation. We have started two continuously running system and software durability tests - that will finish in November.

Tiab exhibited again at the Automotive Testing EXPO in Stuttgart. A paper entitled : Generic controllers are dead, R.I.P. was presented to promote our open and innovative design.

April

Tiab now offer standard test solutions for High Cycle Fatigue, Damper, Elastomer, Vibration, Proof, Servovalve, Durability, Seat Belt Anchorage, Seat Back & Head Rest, Four Poster, MAST (Multi Axis Tables), Gearbox Dynos.

Three major system upgrades
Tiab are upgrading a Formula One Gearbox Dyno, Seat Belt Anchorage (SBA) and Steering Durability systems - all providing dramatically new levels of performance, usability and control.

Hire to buy and academic discounts
Tiab are offering hire options on Digital Controllers and software. This allows customers ample opportunity to use our systems in earnest and the hire cost reduced from the purchase price. We also offer discounted prices to Universities and Colleges. See prices section.

December
2006

A bumper month for repeat orders
Last month Tiab received eleven repeat orders from existing customers for new digital controllers - making it our most successful month to date. This confirms our customers' confidence in us to provide them with quality solutions and comprehensive system support. 

Tiab release their full range of modular analogue and discrete I/O boards

Tiab stretches its wings
Tiab now supports the major UK car manufactures and their tier one and component suppliers. We have established ourselves in test houses, Universities, R&D labs and have expanded onto continental Europe and across Asia.

Customers' testimonials to Tiab. We asked some customers for their feedback and they were only to keen to oblige; see
customers testimonials.

Tiab clinch three more orders from the continent and our first University contracts in the UK. As we reach into new countries and fields our controllers are immediately picked up by Universities where their development potential is quickly appreciated.

Tiab breath new life into test systems. Our proven and tested, hardware and software platform has provided a sound foundation for new analysis tools.

• Test Sequencer
• Test Record Generator
• Drive File Generation (MIMIC™)
• Trend and Statistical Analysis
• Network Software - for network or internet monitoring

Tiab launch the Tiab Sequencer. This new module allows the set-up and running of long test sequences to be reduced down to - a single button press.

In a customer satisfaction survey of recent clients Tiab were rated highest on : technical ability, support capability, quality and innovation. We weren't rated average, or below on anything.

Tiab exhibited at the Stuttgart Testing EXPO. After a very successful event last year, we were proud to return to Germany for this very prestigious event.

A further two major production car manufacturers and a tier one supplier are now realising the potential, and are reaping the benefits of new Tiab systems.

Readily used and minimal support Steady sales across Asia confirms the ease with which our systems can be used and supported, even where English isn't the first language.

Tiab successfully trademarked MIMIC™. The technique Mimics in-the-field responses on test rigs. The perfect name for an ideal solution.

Tiab exhibited at the Engineering Integrity Society Exhibition at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, on March 8th. Please contact us for further details.

Two further prestigious UK motoring companies place orders with Tiab. Three orders from the continent and one from Asia - an encouraging start to 2006.

Tiab successfully commissioned their first nine actuator control system. Despite a high technical specification and precise customer requirements the project was completed in nine weeks, from order to final acceptance.

Tiab releases MIMIC
The importance of accurately reproducing field data in the test lab is a key aspect of test systems. Tiab's MIMIC works seamlessly with the Tiab range of Digital Controllers to simply and effectively provide this functionality.
Read more about MIMIC...

Tiab extends international support from Europe into Asia and Russia. The internet connectivity of our systems makes on-line support seamless and efficient but should the need arise, we can now also be quickly on-site with the highest levels of technical support.

Tiab's client base expands to now include the major UK automotive manufacturers, four Formula One Teams, Champ car, Rally Raid, Touring car, DTM, Formula 3 and Formula Ford.

Tiab become EIS corporate sponsor. Tiab Ltd is proud to become a Corporate Sponsor Company of the Engineering Integrity Society.

Tiab announces new controller specification which includes a faster processor, significantly more logging and replay memory and a USB2.0 interface. The ease with which this was achieved emphasises the unique benefits of our design.
Read more...

Automotive Testing Expo 2005 in Stuttgart, Germany.
A high level of interest was shown in Tiab's powerful range of digital controllers from engineers across the globe and competitors alike.

A New Chapter in Hydraulic Testing
We presented a paper at the Automotive Testing Expo, entitled Opening a New Chapter in Hydraulic Testing. Download the presentation.

Tiab exhibiting at MTEC, Sensors, Measurement and Instrumentation Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

Tiab announces HEAD MFG, Korea as first Asian distributor.

Digital Controller Software version 5.2 released
Tiab's digital controller software now includes a raft of new features such as multi-file continuous replay and a four-channel oscilloscope.

Digital Controller Software version 5.0 is released which incorporates a novel new transducer configuration system and transducer database.

Tiab introduces Series 4 Digital Controller to their existing line of controllers. Read more...

Tiab hosts two demonstration days of our Digital Controller Software to attendees from a wide range of R&D and test companies.

Tiab Controller Software Version 4.0 Released which includes a host of new features and improvements. Read more...

Tiab - the new boys on the block are breaking the mould with their innovation. Read more...

Training courses. Tiab now offers training courses in using LabVIEW with Tiab controllers.

The European wind-tunnel systems were successfully commissioned on time and achieved flexibility, accuracy and performance well in excess of all rival solutions.

Tiab moves to new premises in Middleton Cheney, Oxfordshire. These provided modern, much larger, better equipped offices and workshops, with good potential for future development.

Professional Engineering
The Professional Engineering magazine features a full-page article about Tiab. Read the report here.

More contracts. More controllers into motorsport, automotive and contract work with tyre testing systems.

Tiab wins with Nissan
We were cheered to see our efforts on the Nissan Rally Raid pickup rewarded when the pickup completed the grueling Moroccan Rally Raid in first place.

Tiab gains new team members to support new F1 contract. There were two additions to the permanent staff as we picked up more exciting work across Formula One.

October
2002

Tiab is formed
When non-automotive industries also showed an interest we formed a new company Tiab, to make them more widely available.

Our controller design caught on. We went ahead and developed the controller further. Over six years we applied it to many different R&D applications and it proved its potential. So much so, it was soon adopted by other racing formulas and production car companies.

Working within the R&D world of Formula 1 we realised that the test rig controllers of the day were complex, inflexible and prevented even the simplest of developments. This was wasting resources, pushing up our workload and costs, overcomplicating simple tests and stifling R&D. In the high tech world of F1 good, useable tools are essential. Technology had moved on, why had testing systems been left behind?

So we designed a prototype, modular test rig controller and demonstrated it to some test system suppliers. "This is what we need " we proudly said, " a flexible design, in a clean production form". Their reply left us dumbstruck "It is not commercially viable to give customers what they need" they said, "only what is highly profitable to supply."

Well, that explained it.