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Product Designer
Product Manufacturer Product Description and Principal Function(s) The goal was to develop the future generation of high-performance pulley-blocks for use in small racing sailboats. The product range consists of numerous configurations of ball-bearing blocks and ratchet blocks that provide significant improvements in strength, weight, bearings, features & aesthetics, all for new levels of low cost. The BB blocks incorporate a radically new bearing system that concentrates the load carrying capability only where required, and together with the innovative new head fitting achieves a no-compromise strength to weight ratio. The RT blocks incorporate a totally new mechanism that is switchable between permanently on, permanently off, or fully automatic.Key Product Features and Benefits Innovation: Totally new and untried bearing system to concentrate the balls in the load path and avoid redundancy; new approach to head attachment using rope loop and retainer, the latter which must be easy to remove to enable replacement and fitment to spars etc, but difficult to remove accidentally; completely new switchable ratchet mechanism that offers features not seen before on any block let alone one of this size.Visual Impact / Form: Deck hardware is a highly visible piece of sailboat equipment, so the aesthetics of this product range were vitally important. It was also important to retain brand recognition, and a family link to other Ronstan products. Working with the team at Bayly and Design & Industry, aesthetic factors such as textures, style, colours, apparent weight and handing were all considered in the development of the new form. Originality: No blocks on the market have the open-sided light-weight look provided by the totally new RCB bearing, which also enables the inside of the sheave to be used as a becket. Although there are manual and automatic ratchet blocks on the market, none are switchable to provide the exact need of the sailor at any particular time. Also the head fitting with retainer is completely original and maximises the weight reduction by removing all metal components whilst still retaining the features of strength, application and articulation. Intelligence / Cleverness of Design: All the innovative features had to overcome the problems of conflicting requirements: the head fitting & retainer needed to be easy to intentionally remove whilst at the same time difficult to accidentally remove; the head of the block had to be light, yet strong enough to withstand the full load rating through the rope loop; Functionality: All products in the range were designed to withstand the load-ratings and requirements in all applications and in all conditions. There are no applicable test standards in the marine equipment industry, so it was the responsibility of the designers to ensure that the products would function as intended and have the expected life for use in all applications, uses, and environmental conditions. This would be proven by detailed product testing both in-house, NATA approved test-houses and field trials. Appropriateness / Need: The product requirements were investigated in great depth though our detailed market research which is the initial step of Ronstan’s new product development process. With such an in-depth knowledge of the market and of sailing, the applications and requirements were understood prior to commencing the design, so the need was identified and it was more a case of finding a solution to a problem, rather than finding a solution and then looking for the problem to solve. Quality / Design for Manufacture: In numerous instances the design was developed to incorporate “design for manufacture” and “design for assembly” principals and techniques. These include: the press-fit pins to enable “bottom up” assembly instead of the existing multiple handling; the sheave/bearing sub-assembly which enables a modular approach to assembly. |
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Design Award
