NVTi and PDT Collaborate to Redefine an Industry


Local Companies Differentiating through Design

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 24 // -- NVTi, of Irving, Texas, has been creating navigation, security and surveillance systems for years. While their extreme attention to detail prevented them from seeking development partners in the past, dynamic company goals and a strong desire to better meet the needs of the luxury yacht market have led them to the doors of Product Development Technologies. Product Development Technologies (PDT), a global product design and development services firm and division of TZ Limited, has opened its newest research and development branch in Austin, Texas, bringing a local focus backed by a powerhouse support system all over the world.

The two companies have collaborated to create NVTi's most eye-catching product yet -- the 5000/6000 series night/day vision systems. This design is an extension of NVTi's desire to create a flagship multi-sensor system that sets the standard for their product language moving forward: "Our goal was to deliver the most robust, function-packed system available, while making a statement consistent with the sophisticated tastes of our market, and we have definitely achieved just that," said NVTi CEO Bob Schnee.

Inside, the 5000/6000 series is an engineering work of art. Cameras are housed in a specially designed enclosure which is pressurized with an inert gas and sealed to eliminate the possibility of moisture intrusion. This hermetically sealed unit will prevent lens fogging and component corrosion throughout the product's lifespan. The entire unit is wrapped in a cast aluminum body and bolted to an independent pan/tilt motor assembly allowing for maximum articulation. All cast aluminum parts are painted with an Awlgrip paint process, an industry leader in marine paint applications.

"We exceeded the functional requirements of the design brief," says Tim J. Morton, design manager at PDT Texas, "however, an additional challenge was the need to package the entire assembly in a fashion that conveyed the system's powerful capabilities in an elegant, simple and industry-appropriate manner. All of our initial design concepts combined an understanding of this luxury market with maximum functionality -- these resulted in a final design which embodies the elegant maritime aesthetic of swiftness and precision -- a breakthrough for products in this category."

Now that the process is complete, NVTi's newest products are turning heads in the night vision industry, which has historically been very conservative with respect to design. "Our customers are so excited that there is something out there now that reflects the premium nature of the crafted yacht culture... It's been a thrill to achieve such a dynamic goal of redefining products within this industry," said Schnee.

About NVTi

Irving, Texas-based Night Vision Technologies (NVTi) designs and manufactures enhanced night/day vision systems. These units provide marine craft and land-based operators working under adverse light and environmental conditions with early hazard detection capability and increase the overall safety and security of vessels, personnel and critical infrastructure. The company utilizes proven, dependable technologies in its unique multi- technology systems. http://www.nvti-usa.com/

About PDT

Product Development Technologies (PDT) is a global, full-service product development firm with 150 employees in nine offices worldwide. Team members have expertise in a vast range of product development disciplines, including design research, industrial design, user interface development, electrical and mechanical engineering, software development, laser scanning, and tooling. PDT's award winning product designs have been recognized by BusinessWeek, the Industrial Designers Society of America, The Consumer Electronics Association, Inc. Magazine, Chicago Athenaeum of Architecture and Design, and Parametric Technologies Corporation. http://www.pdt.com/

About TZ Limited

TZ Limited is a leading intellectual property and technology development company that specializes in proprietary embedded intelligent systems. The company leads the world in Intelligent Fastening Technology, a new standard for the design, assembly and servicing of products that will completely change the dynamics of manufacturing. TZ Limited offers a multi-disciplinary design and engineering capability that can deliver innovation, robust research and development of new enabling technologies to disciplined product design, engineering, tooling and prototyping. http://www.tzlimited.com/

Source: Product Development Technologies

CONTACT: Tim J. Morton, Design Manager, Product Development Technologies, +1-512-244-1795, tim.morton@pdt.com , Tanya Sillitti, Marketing Communications, Product Development Technologies, +1-847-821-3048, tanya.sillitti@pdt.com , or Terry Taylor, Account Director - US Markets, Night Vision Technologies, +1-972-554-3979, ttaylor@nvti-usa.com

Web site: http://www.pdt.com/
http://www.nvti-usa.com/
http://www.tzlimited.com/

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