A Ring for Every Finger
Development
Though a self-confessed computer illiterate, Mr Mooney instinctively knew where to look for a solution, and began researching scanning technology and 3-D imaging software. As there was no existing system anywhere in the world that did what he had in mind, he knew he'd be sailing into uncharted waters. In 2001 he established HGM Design Ltd (now defunct), and after months of experimentation developed a basic concept: a three-dimensional hand-scanning system, marrying the image with the database of rings, and allowing the customer to manipulate it and see the hand and ring from every angle.
He showed the concept to a number of potential investors, and managed to convince one that the system had promise. With that early funding, Mr Mooney recruited a team of software engineers and jewellery-modellers, and a prototype began to take shape. He eventually applied for and received additional funding from Technology New Zealand. He took the prototype to DeviceWorks, a wholly-owned Industrial Research Ltd subsidiary, to refine the hand-scanning facility.
DeviceWorks, says General Manager Jillian Laing, "takes concepts and early prototypes and engineers them to a marketable reality". Their mechanical, electrical, electronics and software engineers handle all aspects of design including CAD (Computer Aided Design), machine vision and embedded microprocessors. Typically they find, she says, that start-up companies' research and development is usually great, but they need a lot of work to get a product to market. People come to DeviceWorks with a concept, and they help to develop it.
In 2004 HGM Design, with its team of jewellery modellers and computer programmers, was invited to join the Auckland University of Technology's incubator for high-tech companies in Penrose, Auckland.
Fast-forward to October 2006, and the first commercially operating Try-On unit will open in new jewellery store, Select – The Ring Specialists, in Auckland's recently-opened Sylvia Park supermall.
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