Case Study - Advanced Video Technology Solutions Ltd.

Introduction
Advanced Video Technology Solutions Ltd. (AVT) was formed by Engineering graduate, Chris Cavalieri and faculty member, Adrian Kitai, both of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. They started the company based on their innovative ideas for configurable, large scale displays. One idea was a 6’ by 6’ seamless LCD screen, which used AVT’s own technology to blend images from an array of small LCD-hybrid screens into one large seamless image capable of displaying up to 100MegaPixel. This exciting project came with a few challenges, the first of which focused on their supply chain. AVT needed help sourcing materials, services and components, as well as managing the logistics and tariffs that came from importing to the U.S. for processing, before arriving in Canada. They reached out to Berlin KraftWorks Inc. (BKW) for assistance.  ​

Challenge
BKW’s, Matt Weller began to work with the AVT team to address their supply chain challenges. “This was a really exciting project to be working with an emerging technology. However, being a new product required creativity to find the right solutions for AVT,” said Matt. The technology that AVT had developed required custom LCD and optical modules and AVT needed help in finding and managing suppliers for these custom parts. The optics needed to stop at a separate facility in the US to have an additional coating applied before they could be delivered to the AVT team. Due to trade tariffs between US and China, processing in the US would be subject to a 25% tariff. However, BKW assisted with the set up and management of a temporary import bond for the processing, which would ensure US-based tariffs were not charged to AVT for goods that would be ultimately made in Canada, for Canada.
 
While working through the supply chain considerations, BKW identified several engineering requirements that needed to be addressed simultaneously. BKW’s Peter Heuss reviewed AVT’s design requirements and preliminary designs with the AVT team to help determine how best to design, fabricate, and assemble the product in both low, and eventually, higher quantities. The design required fine interlocking plastic housings, custom machined components, and sheet metal housings. Some of the design work was beyond AVT’s experience and BKW was able to assist. The final design included large arrays of small components that had to fit under very tight tolerances and BKW helped design a system that could be repeatably fabricated and assembled without excessive cost or tooling. Peter also helped develop early designs for thermal and cable management.  The final screen would be quite large and would generate a large amount of heat in a very confined area making heat dissipation difficult
 
Results
BKW and AVT were able to complete the original supply chain project in 68 hours, well under the 80-hour budget.  AVT’s Chris Cavalieri said that, “BKW’s services were exceptional, and I can truly say were absolutely vital to the success of our project so far. We were able to receive all components, design and results successfully and in a timely, organized and well understood manner with several key relationships and networks built for us as a result which will prove invaluable to our project moving forward.”
 
BKW believes in a hands-on approach to their projects and works collaboratively with their clients. This teaching approach was appreciated by the AVT team and Chris shared that, “BKW’s passion for teaching, not just doing, was something we could only dream of from a consultant … they were honest, transparent, and our team was always kept in the loop with all activities. As a result, we were all able to learn an immense amount of new knowledge from their work and engagements, all in a manner that never once slowed down our project.”  ​

Future Plans
Once the BKW team had worked through the design and sourcing challenges, they worked with AVT to create a test portion of the screen. This was a scaled down version of the screen which would later become part of the finished 6’ x 6’ screen. AVT was then ready to order the final pieces and assemble the full screen. The full-scale display is due to be delivered to AVT’s client in Q2 2021, with high hopes of future development of the project.