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Archive for the ‘Design’ Category

ADS C4ISR Vehicle Concept Demonstrator – Part I – Overview

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

During Warrior Expo, ADS Inc exhibited a new concept demonstrator that integrates C4ISR technologies directly into a lightly armored vehicle based on the legacy uparmored HMMWV. For those unfamiliar, C4ISR includes Command, Control, Communications, Computers as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and and Reconnaissance capabilities. It’s not that this is a dedicated command and control vehicle or even a scout vehicle but rather, ADS recognizes that over the last 10 years, there has been a boom in the deployment of new C4ISR technologies. The real hurdle is delivering this disparate information to the end user and then, making sense of all of it.

ADS teamed with Granite Tactical Vehicles, FLIR, Harris and SYNEXXUS. Everything here is Commercial-Off-The-Shelf. It’s just been configured in such a way that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual components.

If you were at Warrior East, I hope you had a chance to check out this vehicle. If not, ADStv created three video segments that we will use to show what it’s all about. Below, John Fristachi from ADS of ADS discusses the project.

To learn more contact ADS Inc.

Tags: ADS Inc, FLIR, Granite Tactical Vehicles, Harris, SYNEXXUS, Warrior Expo East
Posted in ADS, Concepts, Design, Digitization, ISR, Mobility, Sensors, Warrior Expo | Comments Off on ADS C4ISR Vehicle Concept Demonstrator – Part I – Overview

Prometheus Design Werx – One To Watch

Tuesday, July 8th, 2014

You may not have heard of Prometheus Design Werx yet, but once you know a little about them you’ll realize that they’re really an old friend. Turns out, PDW is the creation of a small group that includes Patrick York Ma. Patrick and I have known each other for years and I’ve always admired his commitment to design applied to his thirst for adventure. Over the years, he’s created some really cool gear. If you’re familiar with the Prometheus story from Greek mythology, it’s obviously an apt name for this company founded by Patrick Ma and manufacturing specialist Chris Whitney. There are always challenges to starting a new company, but these two guys have taken it all in stride and done a stellar job right out of the gate.

Like a stealth bomber, PDW has been flying under the radar since January, developing new products and working on design collaborations with other brands they admire. Their aesthetic is utilitarian to be sure, but there is a level of finesse that belies a commitment to good design. It has a beauty all its own. Obviously, they’re doing something right. They launched their website to little fanfare just a week ago and sold out their wares within hours. Definitely, one to watch.

www.prometheusdesignwerx.com

Tags: Prometheus Design Werx
Posted in Design | 18 Comments »

Kevlar Inventor Stephanie L Kwolek Passes Away

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014

We all have much to owe Stephanie L Kwolek, who invented the basic Kevlar compound while working for DuPont in 1964. Amazingly, she was attempting to develop a material to replace steel radial belts in tires when a polymer she was working didn’t quite come out right. On a hunch, she had it spun into fiber that turned out to be five times as strong as steel as well fire resistant. Further development resulted in the Kevlar family of aramids we know today, although it took a decade for the material to be introduced into soft body armor. Eventually, Ms Kwolek was honored with a National Medal of Technology in 1996 for her work that has resulted in countless lives saved.

DuPont continues to develop the material discovered by Ms Kwolek. Just last week, they announced that the millionth vest made from Kevlar XP had been manufactured and they recently launched DuPont Kevlar AS450X, specifically engineered for greater comfort to the body armour wearer while protecting against multiple threats including bullets, knives, spikes, bullets and blunt objects as well as DuPont Kevlar XP S104, a water repellent fabric that offers enhanced bullet stopping power and reduced back face deformation, even in hot and humid climates and wet conditions.

Born on July 31, 1923, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Stephanie L Kwolek passed away in Wilmington, Delaware, on 18 June, 2014 at the age of 90.

Thank you for your hard work. Rest In Peace.

Tags: Dupont, Stephanie L. Kwolek
Posted in Design, For the Ladies, History, Industry, Materials | 8 Comments »

Check out the Beyond Acropolis In Seattle, Washington

Tuesday, April 15th, 2014

I’ve visited the Beyond Acropolis, and I can tell you it is a truly excellent facility filled with an exciting group of creative individuals who have come together to forge a new team. This new facility was designed specifically to work hand-in-hand with the team to realize Beyond’s design process.

If you are interested in visiting the Acropolis yourself, their doors are open for an in-person tour of their manufacturing, design, and brand process. Their address and hours of operation are:

6363 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108-3437

Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm

www.beyondclothing.com

Tags: Beyond Clothing
Posted in Clothing, Design, Industry | 5 Comments »

Help NASA Choose A New Spacesuit

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Every once in awhile we do a NASA story and I thought this one would be of interest for our readers. NASA is working on their next generation suit to follow on to the groundbreaking Z1 seen below.

They’d like the public’s input regarding final details on the new Z2 design developed with ILC (manufacturers of the famed Integrated Combat Helmet). The Z1 prototype has a soft upper torso, while the Z-2 is made of hard composite and is also the first spacesuit to use 3-D laser scanning and 3-D printing.

Participants can choose between three design models.

The first option, “Biomimicry,” is inspired by the oceans of Earth and mimics some of the bioluminescent qualities of fish and reptiles. Its signature feature is electroluminescent wire that stretches across the upper torso and becomes visible in low light.

The second design is called “Technology” and uses Luminex wire and light-emitting patches that can help crew members easily identify each other on spacewalks.

The third option is called “Trends in Society,” and with a bright color scheme mimicking athletic training gear, it’s supposed to reflect what everyday clothes might look like in the future.

Voting ends for the Z2 project April 15, and the winning design will be revealed by April 30. After that, NASA expects to have the suit completed by November and will immediately begin testing at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in vacuum chambers and a neutral buoyancy lab as well as a simulated Mars environment.

Submit your vote at jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2

Tags: NASA
Posted in Design | 30 Comments »

Design Like You Mean It – Ditto Slim Wallet

Friday, February 21st, 2014

Last Spring I had a chance to visit NEMO Equipment. One thing that struck me was a sign that said, “Design Like You Mean It.” Check this video out on the design process for the new minimalist Ditto Slim Wallet and then you’ll understand what they are up to.

Using paper, masking tape, staples, elastic, rubber bands, fabric, welding, stitching, sewing, it took 65 prototypes to arrive at the final design of the Ditto Slim Wallet. On the surface, this is an inside look at the design process involved in making the Ditto Slim Wallet. But much deeper than that, it’s an ode to the necessity of play and exploration in design. Some of the best designs come out of feeling free to fail, and not being afraid to make something that doesn’t work. This is a reminder to celebrate the failures as much as the success of the final design. Learn more about the design of Ditto Slim Wallet…

www.nemoequipment.com

Tags: NEMO Equipment
Posted in Design | 1 Comment »

More On The Perseus ExoSkeleton Concept

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

We recently published a brochure for the Perseus ExoSkeleton by concept artist Francis Goeltner. It was more art than science but that didn’t stop it from becoming quite popular with our readers. Since then Goeltner has released several new renderings of the conceptual Perseus which will give you a better look at what he is going after.