David Whillas from Topaz Subsea has been a friend and customer of Reach Robotics since we first launched in 2016. We recently caught up with David to talk about his use of our Reach Subsea Lights and Reach Alpha 5 manipulator.
“Reach Robotics has always offered great support and are always keen to help with innovations and improvements to their products.”
David Whillas, Topaz Subsea.
Topaz Subsea is based in Perth, Western Australia and works extensively with the science community on many projects, including sampling corals and seabed surveys. They’ve also worked helping fisheries, oil & gas inspection and with the water police. They provide sales, hire, service, and support for a range of ROV systems and equipment, including Reach Robotics’s Reach Subsea Lights and Reach Alpha 5 manipulators.
David’s latest project integrates our Subsea lights on the new RJE Oceanbotics SRV8 X ROV (pictured). Their subsea lights needed to be small, lightweight, and, most importantly, reliable and they found that in their Reach Subsea Light which has completed nearly 2000hrs dive time in a minimum 100-350m depth without any failures or decrease in performance.
The Reach Subsea Light was developed after we kept hearing about issues with available underwater LED lights, particularly concerning leaks and interface. Our main priority was reliability over time. Specifically, this meant avoiding strain relief on the cable/light interface, improved pressure tolerant housings, over-temperature protection, and accommodating for serial (RS485) or PWM signal sources. Primarily aimed at vehicle manufacturers, we also provide to vehicle operators who need to upgrade their current illumination status.
Topaz Subsea also needed a manipulator with a small overall size, dexterity, intuitive operation and which works efficiently with the master arm topside controller. The Alpha 5 manipulator has helped Topaz Subsea to achieve its objectives;
“The Reach Alpha 5 manipulator has proved extremely helpful in achieving objectives with dexterity to reach difficult places which were otherwise unreachable.”
David Whillas, Topaz Subsea.
