DESIGN NAME: Caliber Optics
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Balanced Eyewear
INSPIRATION: We noticed that glasses often slip off the wearer's face. We decided to make the temple tips heavier to counteract the weight of the lenses and create a balanced frame
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The glasses are designed to be as durable, easily cleanable, and easily serviceable as possible. The frame front is a semi rimless stainless steel design: high strength to weight ratio, easy to clean and affordable to put prescription lenses into.
The temples are flexible beta titanium: hypoallergenic, durable, light and flexible.
The temple tip is weighted to make the back of the glasses heavier than the front. The temple tip is made from recycled brass.
This results in a comfortable and durable eyeglass frame.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The Caliber Optics frame looks like a typical pair of glasses from the front. The difference is the counterweight found at the end of each temple. This counterweight helps to balance the frame. It brings the center of balance towards the back and "pulls" the frame onto the wearers face. This eliminates the act of constantly having to push the glasses back into place.
The counterweight makes the frame more comfortable
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in 2018 in Budapest, Hungary.
In 2019, the collection was presented to the public for the first time at the International Vision Expo in Las Vegas and SILMO Paris. Later it was also presented at the Opti trade show 2020 in Munich.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The frame front is welded stainless steel which uses a nylon line to securely hold the lens in place. The temples have an integrated spring cut into them with electric discharge machining. The temple tips are made from upcycled .357 magnum brass cartridges and sterling silver. These are swagged into place.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Total weight: 17grams
size: 140mm x 145mm x 40mmFrame front: 6 grams.
Frame front: 6 grams
Temples: 5 grams.
The counterweights: 6 grams.
TAGS: glasses, sunglasses, counterweight, eyewear, recycle, handmade, lightweight, titanium, brass
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Observational research was conducted in an optical shop. The team observed that most clients required temple adjustment behind their ears. This was to make the glasses hold better and not slip off. This was noted in the majority of clients and totaled about 100 patients over a course of 2 months.
An alternative method of reaching a similar level of comfort in less time was proposed: make the temple tips heavier.
The new product with the brass counterweights was tested at two trade shows as well as the original optical shop. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
CHALLENGE: Two major design challenges were encountered while designing the counterweight: size and attachment.
The counterweight had to be small and heavy at the same time, the heavier the better. A brass was chosen as it is hypoallergenic and not very expensive as well easy to machine. Brass has oligodynamic properties as well.
How to efficiently attach the counterweight so it would remain stable. Since brass was chosen as the counterweight material it proved to be easy to form by hammering. The counterweights are swagged into a loop at the end of the temples.
ADDED DATE: 2020-09-18 10:37:53
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Designer: Simon Hukaya and Designer: Zachary Tipton
IMAGE CREDITS: Zack Tipton, 2020.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: EU copyright date: 12/02/2020
EU copyright number: 007536271-0003
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