DESIGN NAME: Axis Fabio
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Eyewear
INSPIRATION: Axis inspires people to think differently about wooden products. The concept of Axis was born in a wood workshop when product designer Andras Kelemen decided to make wooden eyewear without metal elements. He believes that creativity can solve every problem if tools or materials are limited. The special properties of wood led him to design a special hinge system, which is durable and has a spring effect while rotating the temples. This solution is very similar to the spring mechanism of pocketknives which was the source of inspiration for Andras.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The frame is constructed from plywood sourced from the wood of special tree species. The outer layer of the profile and the hinges are ebony, while the inner layers and the temples are made of ash. The special glue used to secure the layers provides enough flexibility for the lenses to be snapped into place at room temperature. While designing these spectacles, it was important that the hinges be manufactured locally and in the simplest way possible. In contrast to traditional hinges, the temples of these spectacles must be rotated 170 degrees inward to close them.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Axis provides not only an environmentally friendly solution in eyewear production but a unique experience for the user as well. Every Axis is slightly different because of the natural pattern of the plywood. The hand polished wooden frame highlights the elegance of the materials, giving these spectacles further aesthetic value. While opening the temples the special hinge system can be seen in action, which is another characteristic feature of the eyewear.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project was started in 2016 in Vienna.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The eyewear is produced with a 5 axis CNC milling machine. The temples and the inner layers of the profile are made of ash, as it is one of the most durable and flexible locally grown wood species. The wooden pins and the spring-like wooden piece hidden in the frame are made of ebony, which makes the hinges wear-resistant.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 141mm x 149mm x 49mm, wood veneer: ebony, ash
TAGS: eyewear, glasses, spectacles, handmade, green design, innovative hinges, wooden hinges
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The main goal of Axis was to create wooden spectacles without using metal elements. Because of the special hinge solution the temples must be rotated 170 degrees inward to close them, which makes this eyewear unique on the market. Thanks to the natural materials, the frame is ultralight and comfortable to wear. Although the use of wood in the eyewear industry is becoming more common, Axis can present new and innovative ideas to customers, which is the essence of the brand.
CHALLENGE: Both the use of natural materials and simple implementation were primary goals while designing these spectacles. The biggest challenge was to find the best solution for the spring mechanism of the hinges. The construction had to be hard but flexible enough to avoid damage and undesired friction. As a result, ebony veneers were glued together, where every second layer was turned in 90 degrees in order to make a strong network of wooden fibers, which can not break or split under tension.
ADDED DATE: 2017-03-03 15:22:10
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Andras Kelemen, 2016.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Patented
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