Suffolk based 3D Metal Moulding specialist, CMG Technologies, has played an integral role in the production of a brand new wearable technology contactless payment system from Barclaycard.
bPay allows users to pay for goods and services up to the value of £20 through a wristband, key fob or sticker linked to any debit or credit card of their choice.
CMG Technologies has been involved in the project from the early stages following an introduction through the Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP). The bPay team had originally procured prototypes made from plastic, but after testing they decided that these clasps were not durable enough and did not convey the high-quality finish that the team wanted.
CDP’s previous experience of CMG’s 3D Metal Moulding led to them recommending the metal injection moulding (MIM) route to overcome these issues.
The clasps are now made from 17-4 stainless steel using CMG’s expert MIM process which is ideal for this particular application thanks to its strength and corrosion resistance.
CMG’s Technical Sales and Marketing Director, Rachel Garrett, comments, “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to get involved in this exciting project. 3D metal moulded parts are used in a huge variety of everyday applications and this latest project demonstrates the potential afforded by our process.
“We are able to supply significant volumes of product all manufactured to consistently high standards thanks to our in-house capabilities.”
The bPay team was keen to keep production of all aspects of the bPay devices within the UK – CMG’s metal injection moulding process enables high volume production of parts where traditional manufacturing methods may incur prohibitive costs.
Initial discussions took place in November 2014 and CMG Technologies then developed the tooling to enable the production of the first-run of 100,000 clasps delivered to meet the launch date of 15th July 2015.
There are vast opportunities for developing the use of contactless payment devices – from access for sporting season ticket holders to use on the Transport for London network, the bPay system offers huge potential.
And the fact that 17-4 can be coated means future users of the devices could order clasps in an unlimited range of colours to match their corporate identities if required.
A short film on the bPay website contains more details about how and where the contactless payment system can be used. The bPay devices are available for a one-off cost of £25, but from 06 July 2015 to 31 July 2015, you can get 50% off the single most expensive item in the shopping basket (subject to availability).
Go to www.bpay.co.uk/mates, reveal your offer code and buy your bPay device, or follow this link to find out more about the materials that can be used to produce 3D Metal Moulded parts.