Wood & Metal Hybrid
The use of hybrid materials in the design for an adjustable oarlock has several practical applications. Wood is an easy material to work with, able to be transformed in order to suit the individual needs of the designer. Wood can also be obtained at relatively low cost, and variety of woods for purchase means that a suitable type can be chosen for the exact specifications of the product. The use of metal in the design adds strength to the critical points of the system, preventing heavy wear and extending the life of the oarlock mount. At each mounting point, the metal reinforcements will cut down on friction wear that is unavoidable in the design of oarlocks. The metal used will prolong the structural integrity of the design, letting the design stand up to heavy use over a long period of time. The hybrid design is inherently not as strong as a full metal construction, but is adequate for most applications, for a certain period of time. When one designs for long-term use, one must take into account the wear and tear that the product will undergo for its entire life. This is where wooden construction fails to deliver, where the flaws of wood are exposed. Hairline cracks can develop over time, and with these cracks come the promise of larger splits in the wood, leading to catastrophic failure across the entire product. One must also consider how wood must be protected from the elements. Water, trapped in the grain of wood, can swell and contract at a rapid rate, which, over the course of a few months, can render the material unusable. To prevent this problem, varnish or water sealant can be used, but this additional cost may be prohibitive on large scale production. The hybrid design brings several positive aspects along with it, but the consequences of using wood as a material outweigh the possible benefits.
Metal Construction
Using metal as the singular element of construction makes a great deal of sense, as metal is renowned for its durability and integrity. Although metalworking requires specialized tools, the benefits of using metal are immediately apparent. Friction wear becomes almost a non-issue, as one would assume the wooden oars to break down at a faster rate then the metal mounting bracket. With the rate of wear and tear reduced to a bare minimum, the primary focus becomes ergonomics, with a concentration on how easily the product can be used, when compared to a standard oarlock. When compared to a product that uses wood as its main means of construction, a metal structure requires less material for the same amount of strength, meaning a smaller overall design, more portability, and less weight. All of these characteristics make the product more attractive the potential customers, as does the sleek, streamlined design that metal can provide. The physical strength of this design, combined with aesthetically pleasing elements, mark this construction as one that deserves further development as a potential solution for the problems presented in this project.
T-Track Design
The use of existing technology make this solution unique in the designs proposed for this project, and this retrofitting of existing technology may provide one of the stronger designs, if it is at all possible. Sailboats use metal tracked rails to make adjustments on positions of line, and the use of these adjustable elements may prove a solution for the adjustable oarlock design. The only developmental problem that could occur in this conversion process is the design of a tracked metal instrument that would conform to the specifications outlined in the design of the product, while still functioning within the confines of the original sailboat T-track product. The rails on a standard sailboat track are nearly universal, but it is doubtful as to whether or not the product will hold up to a type of stress quite different from the track’s normal operation. This may be the limiting factor when considering further development of this type of design. If the product cannot withstand the stresses of rowing, it is not viable for selection. This design will cost far more than the other two solutions, as sailboat T-tracks are more expensive than a simple block of wood or length of angle iron. The designer is also limited to using the original dimensions of a pre-existing product, which may serve to hinder the creative process of the designer. By working with a clean sheet of metal or blank piece of wood, the designer has ultimate control over what goes into the product, instead of relying upon prefabricated designs.
Selection: Metal Construction
The metal construction’s benefits outweigh it’s consequences in several key areas. It is durable, cheap and relatively easy to work with, all the qualities one could desire in design of a product. Metal, once protected via electroplating, can withstand all kinds of environmental effects, including the rigors of salt water spray and other parts of the marine world which tend to accelerate wear. Metal is far stronger than a wooden solution, able to tolerate far more stress than the hybrid wooden/metal design. The metal design requires only minimal care to function correctly for a long period of time, contrasting the continuing upkeep that a wooden design would need to have in order to remain functional. The metal design also has several benefits which set it apart from the sailboat T-track design, as it is a simplistic design with fewer moving parts, always beneficial in the design of mechanical products. With fewer moving parts, there are fewer chances for failures in key structural parts, which help prolong the life of a product. The metal piece used will function as blank slate, letting the designer choose what he feels is most important for the ongoing construction of the adjustable oarlock.
Model Contructed of Metal Solution
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