Revolutionary design takes the wheel for a loop

Published May 08, 2013

FoxNews.com

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The wheel is being taken for a loop.

A British industrial designer has come up with a revolutionary alternative to the traditional spoked bicycle wheel that uses flexible curved springs to support the rim and providing a cushioning effect.

Constructed from carbon composite strips developed in conjunction with an archery bow manufacturer, the springs of the so-called Loopwheels have been engineered to provide the same lateral stiffness as standard spoke wheels while also acting as an in-wheel suspension system.

The first examples of the technology are designed around the 20-inch wheels commonly used on fold-up bicycles. The inventor, Sam Pearce, says he targeted this segment because this type of bike typically isn’t available with a frame-mounted suspension, but a 26-inch version is also in the works.

Pearce tells FoxNews.com that the wheels have been tested over 10,000 miles without requiring any balancing or adjustments along the way. Although he’s currently focused on bicycle applications, he says the design has been legally protected for any wheeled device and that he sees motorcycle and automobile applications as exciting prospects down the road.

Several companies have been working on “airless tires” that replace the air filled carcass with a rim suspended by a flexible matrix, like the recently unveiled Polaris ATV Non-Pneumatic Tire, but they are typically fitted to a conventional hub and spoke wheel.

The Loopwheels project has been fully funded through a Kickstarter campaign that surpassed its £40,000 ($62,000) goal and production is set to begin soon. The price for a set of two, complete with a three-speed gear and hub brake in the rear, is £490 ($760), and is available for purchase outside of the U.K. They’ve been optimized to work with the Dahon Mu folding bicycle, but Pearce says they are compatible with other bikes that provide enough clearance and use a similar hub size.

View the original article here

Could you design the next Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle?

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Three Americans from three different states teamed together to win one million dollars this week in the competition to design the first stage of a next-gen assault vehicle for the Marines.

In October of last year, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sent out a bat signal inviting all American innovators to design the new heavy amphibious infantry fighting vehicle- the Fast, Adaptable, Next-Generation Ground Vehicle (FANG).

Each of the three FANG challenges invites competitors from across the country to design increasingly complex vehicle subsystems and there is no fee to participate.

FANG’s requirements reflect those of the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program and the end game is achieving a finished heavy amphibious infantry fighting vehicle that meets the needs of the Marines.

Future Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle

Since 1971 the Marines use the AAV-7A1 series amphibious assault vehicle to move from ship to shore.  There are concerns over the years it has become increasingly hard to maintain and operate -- not to mention its two-mile ship to shore range is less than ideal for amphibious forces.

The next-gen vehicle must be able to self-deploy and deliver 17 Marines from a launch distance of at least 12 miles.

FANG needs to be at least 8 knots fast in one-foot wave height seas and handle three foot wave conditions.

On land, the new vehicle will operate in all types of terrain with a cross-country range and speed the same or better than an M-1A1 Tank.

The new ACV should have at least one stabilized machine gun to engage enemy infantry and light vehicles and sufficient protection against direct and indirect fire, mines and improvised explosive devices.

And the Winner is…

Summary

For more information or to register for DARPA’s FANG Challenges, go to vehicleforge.org.

In this first FANG challenge, teams competed to design the Mobility and Drivetrain Subsystem Design for a one million dollar cash prize and the chance to have their design built in the iFAB Foundry.

Since the kick off on January 14, 2013, more than 1,000 participated within more than 200 teams.

Competitors use DARPA’s META design tools and its online collaboration platform Vanderbilt University’s VehicleFORGE to manage and submit their designs.

The competition will cover the whole manufacturing process cycle from requirements representation through to final physical build of a full-scale prototype.

“Ground Systems,” a three person team from Ohio, Texas and California, received the highest score for system performance and manufacturability.  

Although they were based in entirely different states, they were still able to successfully collaborate and win by using the tools the DARPA provided.

One top team met through their Vehicle FORGE and another was a mere one person team. DARPA noted that in the traditional design process these sorts of teams would not have had the chance to provide their ideas -- ones that were the top designs.

The DARPA iFAB program team will build the winning FANG design.

Penn State University’s Instant Foundry Adaptive through Bits, known as iFAB, will test and validate the design.

Making Defense Tech 5 x Faster

In addition to designing a better vehicle for the Marines, DARPA has some other ambitions.

DARPA hopes to demonstrate that by harnessing the talents of American innovators  and equipping them with META and Vehicle FORGE -- they will accelerate the time it takes to build a critical vehicle for defense by at least a factor of five -- if not ten times faster.

Traditional methods to develop urgently needed heavy military vehicles have often fallen short in providing the needed capability in a timely fashion.

This FANG initiative was launched in 2010 as part of the advanced manufacturing program that seeks to develop complex military systems at least five times faster than the current standard.

While hopefully achieving a superior amphibious assault vehicle, through the FANG competition DARPA will also be testing the specially developed META design tools, model libraries and the VehicleFORGE platform.

Innovators jump in the ring

The next FANG Challenge invites competitors to design a chassis and structural subsystems for survivability for a one million dollar prize.

In 2014, the final FANG Challenge means it is full vehicle design time -- and a chance to win two million dollars.

In addition to receiving a cash prize, the winning team in the third and final challenge could have its vehicle tested by the Marine Corps alongside ACV prototypes in operational testing.

Allison Barrie

View the original article here

Could you design the next Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle?

• 

Three Americans from three different states teamed together to win one million dollars this week in the competition to design the first stage of a next-gen assault vehicle for the Marines.

In October of last year, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sent out a bat signal inviting all American innovators to design the new heavy amphibious infantry fighting vehicle- the Fast, Adaptable, Next-Generation Ground Vehicle (FANG).

Each of the three FANG challenges invites competitors from across the country to design increasingly complex vehicle subsystems and there is no fee to participate.

FANG’s requirements reflect those of the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program and the end game is achieving a finished heavy amphibious infantry fighting vehicle that meets the needs of the Marines.

Future Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle

Since 1971 the Marines use the AAV-7A1 series amphibious assault vehicle to move from ship to shore.  There are concerns over the years it has become increasingly hard to maintain and operate -- not to mention its two-mile ship to shore range is less than ideal for amphibious forces.

The next-gen vehicle must be able to self-deploy and deliver 17 Marines from a launch distance of at least 12 miles.

FANG needs to be at least 8 knots fast in one-foot wave height seas and handle three foot wave conditions.

On land, the new vehicle will operate in all types of terrain with a cross-country range and speed the same or better than an M-1A1 Tank.

The new ACV should have at least one stabilized machine gun to engage enemy infantry and light vehicles and sufficient protection against direct and indirect fire, mines and improvised explosive devices.

And the Winner is…

Summary

For more information or to register for DARPA’s FANG Challenges, go to vehicleforge.org.

In this first FANG challenge, teams competed to design the Mobility and Drivetrain Subsystem Design for a one million dollar cash prize and the chance to have their design built in the iFAB Foundry.

Since the kick off on January 14, 2013, more than 1,000 participated within more than 200 teams.

Competitors use DARPA’s META design tools and its online collaboration platform Vanderbilt University’s VehicleFORGE to manage and submit their designs.

The competition will cover the whole manufacturing process cycle from requirements representation through to final physical build of a full-scale prototype.

“Ground Systems,” a three person team from Ohio, Texas and California, received the highest score for system performance and manufacturability.  

Although they were based in entirely different states, they were still able to successfully collaborate and win by using the tools the DARPA provided.

One top team met through their Vehicle FORGE and another was a mere one person team. DARPA noted that in the traditional design process these sorts of teams would not have had the chance to provide their ideas -- ones that were the top designs.

The DARPA iFAB program team will build the winning FANG design.

Penn State University’s Instant Foundry Adaptive through Bits, known as iFAB, will test and validate the design.

Making Defense Tech 5 x Faster

In addition to designing a better vehicle for the Marines, DARPA has some other ambitions.

DARPA hopes to demonstrate that by harnessing the talents of American innovators  and equipping them with META and Vehicle FORGE -- they will accelerate the time it takes to build a critical vehicle for defense by at least a factor of five -- if not ten times faster.

Traditional methods to develop urgently needed heavy military vehicles have often fallen short in providing the needed capability in a timely fashion.

This FANG initiative was launched in 2010 as part of the advanced manufacturing program that seeks to develop complex military systems at least five times faster than the current standard.

While hopefully achieving a superior amphibious assault vehicle, through the FANG competition DARPA will also be testing the specially developed META design tools, model libraries and the VehicleFORGE platform.

Innovators jump in the ring

The next FANG Challenge invites competitors to design a chassis and structural subsystems for survivability for a one million dollar prize.

In 2014, the final FANG Challenge means it is full vehicle design time -- and a chance to win two million dollars.

In addition to receiving a cash prize, the winning team in the third and final challenge could have its vehicle tested by the Marine Corps alongside ACV prototypes in operational testing.

Allison Barrie

View the original article here

Flame stitch patterns fire up home design

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“Everything old is new again" feels particularly apt regarding the resurgence of flame stitch designs. This centuries-old embroidery pattern has recently returned for a playful but sophisticated look in home interiors. Furniture, wallpaper and even trays are using it, bringing life and whimsy to interiors.

Contemporary Living Room by Saskatoon Interior Designer Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

A brief history of the flame stitch. Flame stitch is a design, rather than a type of fabric. One theory that historians have about the origins of the flame stitch is that it emerged from the marriage of two embroidery stitches popular in the 13th and 14th centuries: the Gobelin (or brick stitch) and the Hungarian (or zigzag stitch). The resulting combination was a favorite of Princess Elizabeth of Hungary, who traveled to Perugia, Italy, so often that some believe this is how the flame stitch became so popular in Italy.

Another theory is that the flame stitch developed from the influence of Middle Eastern textiles, such as ikat, that were coming into Italy via the Silk Road.

The flame stitch wallpaper with a modern twist in this photo looks bold but still works with the room's design. The warmth of the wallpaper connects really well with the wingback chairs. Upholstering the chairs in a contemporary leather linked them perfectly with the cowhide rug.

Contemporary Bedroom by Chicago Interior Designer Michael Abrams Limited

The flame stitch in the U.K. In Parham House in the U.K., you will find one of the most breathtaking examples of flame stitch design, and one of the earliest known flame stitch examples in England. Embroidered sometime between 1560 and 1585, its curtains (not shown here) are made from linen scrim and have repeated shades of blue, brown, fawn, yellow, beige, red and orange wool thread.

These days the flame stitch comprises a compound weave that uses natural or man-made fibers. While not likely to be seen in Parham House, the curtains and bed bolster shown here pay homage to the flame stitch pattern with a great deal of care and class.

Eclectic Living Room by Sydney Architect Greg Natale

The flame stitch throughout Europe. The flame stitch started to become very popular in the 17th century. Italian armchairs stitched with silk threads in flame stitch designs were seen in a collection at the Bargello Museum in Florence. As a result, you may have heard the term "Bargello" or "Florentine stitch" to describe the flame stitch.

Flame stitch patterns continued to remain popular throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Women would embroider wallets for their future husbands in the design, keen to show off their skills. The French also jumped on the flame stitch bandwagon -- they called it "Bergamo."

A breathtaking example, albeit on a less a grander scale than some other uses, is the delightfully modern fabric on this classic Louis-style chair design.

Modern Living Room by Boston Interior Designer Rachel Reider Interiors

Flame stitch variations. During the later part of the 17th century, a few new patterns emerged that were inspired by the Bargello flame stitch pattern.

The carnation, medallion and diamond patterns evolved as new stitches were tried. These embroideries were found more in the U.S. and England than in Europe. During the 1970s the flame stitch fell heavily out of favor and stayed missing in action for several decades. Luckily for us, however, the flame stitch and all its variations are back.

These modern Jonathan Adler Bargello wave pillows look like they were inspired by the diamond pattern of the 17th century. The graphic rug mingles beautifully with the pillow pattern.

Contemporary Living Room by Dallas Interior Designer Carolina V. Gentry, RID

Contemporary flame stitch designs. Missoni creates possibly the most well-known contemporary interpretations of the flame stitch pattern, as seen in this rug. Although Missoni's offerings have more of a zigzag than a true flame stitch, they have become go-to choices when we want to flirt with color in a space.

This rug brings a great deal of texture and life to the sitting room, while the punchy pillows serve as a necessary counterbalance.

Other by Melbourne Interior Designer Elements of Style

Flame stitch-patterned accessories. These accessories add visual interest and help pull a room together. The flame stitch design can bring a desired spike to any space without breaking the bank.

Trust your design instincts and know that whether you add a pillow, trinket box or tray like this one, using the inspired flame stitch pattern will definitely give your spirits a lift every time you walk into the room.

Related:

• Photos: Get inspired by thousands of modern interiors
• Home Design Help: Work With A Local Interior Designer
• Browse Thousands of Modern Design Ideas

Houzz is the leading online platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish -- online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals around the world. Gabrielle Di Stefano is a contributor to Houzz.

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