Robinson Seismic Ltd specialises in developing, testing, manufacturing and marketing seismic protection and damping devices
The company can trace its beginnings back to 1967 when Dr William H
Robinson joined the Physics and Engineering Laboratory (PEL) of the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), NZ.
Before joining PEL Dr Robinson completed a PhD in Physical Metallurgy at
the University of Illinois, USA with a thesis on the `Mechanical Damping'
in single crystals of KCl at high temperatures.
During his time at PEL he developed a number of new experimental
techniques using `Ultrasonics' in solid state physics, initiated a
research program in the Antarctic on `Sea Ice' and invented a number of
devices to reduce the damage to structures during earthquakes. In 1985 Dr
Robinson was appointed director of PEL, introducing new management
procedures for Research & Development.
In 1995 Dr Robinson founded Penguin Engineering Ltd to capitalise on his
expertise and technical developments in the areas of damping and seismic
isolation. At the end of 1998 the name Penguin Engineering Ltd was changed
to Robinson Seismic Limited. Dr Robinson has invented a number of energy
absorbing devices and has been awarded many honours including - the
Michaelus Medal, an honorary DSc, a Fellowship of the NZ Royal Society and
the NZ Royal Society's Gold Medal for Technology. The most well known of
his inventions is the Lead Rubber Bearing which is now installed and used
worldwide.
Robinson Seismic Ltd is a member of the New Zealand Earthquake Engineering
Technology Business Cluster (NZEETBC). The Cluster has been formed to bring
together the wide range of skills in New Zealand involved in earthquake
engineering.
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