During a trip to Detroit’s Shinola headquarters, we got a first-hand look at its recently opened leather factory and design studio—another step in their continued quest to revive American manufacturing. The brand has commenced operations…
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Advertorial content: A cloudy sky and sporadic bursts of rain couldn’t quell the festive mood at this year’s Goodwood Revival, England’s annual celebration of classic cars taking place each September at the historic…
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With the holidays upon us it’s once again that time of year when we look back at Cool Hunting Video content in 2012. This year was a real gem with some fantastic pieces ranging from the world’s largest carnivorous plant nursery to the wacky International Banana Museum. Below is a…
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While in Buenos Aires we stumbled across a curious manufacturing operation nestled in an alley and realized it was a unique opportunity for CH Video. Alicia Muñiz, the founder and designer of Comme il Faut, has been dancing tango most of her life. Dissatisfied with the available tango shoes…
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Filament winding, forging, hydrodynamic machining and more in a material specialist’s latest look at manufacturing processes
While specifically targeting industrial designers, Making It: Manufacturing Techniques In Product Design makes a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about the production processes of nearly anything. Originally released in 2007, this second edition sees author and designer Chris Lefteri add 10 new processes to the already-extensive list of concise guides, updating readers on how these industrial tools work, how much they cost and how they can be used.
Lefteri breaks down almost every major production tool currently available to industrial designers, from rotary swaging to gas-assisted injection molding. Each of the processes is documented with a detailed commentary on the relevant materials, volumes produced, capital investment, scale, tolerance and more. There are also copious diagrams and photos to help clarify oft-complex methods for both the serious engineer or more casual tinkerer.
This latest edition also includes a new section on finishing techniques. Offering little-known facts in an easily digestible format, Lefteri discusses in characteristic detail the final steps that give products—whether decorative or functional—that attractive sheen or protective coating.
“Making It” is available March 2012 from Laurence King or for pre-order on Amazon.
A pair of well loved boots gets a much needed refresh at the century old workshop
American made since 1905, Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota, has earned a worldwide following for their sturdy, durable boots built to last a lifetime. Not only do they make top notch (and increasingly fashionable) footwear, Red Wing firmly stands behind their product—offering repairs and modifications to anyone with a pair in need. This unprecedented service gives well worn boots the chance to be brought back to the original workshop to be rebuilt with original equipment.
I’ve worn my boots for 13 years, and realized this fall that they were ready for a refresh. Although the leather uppers are absolutely in their prime, the years of wear and tear left the soles in a much sadder state. So, to give my beloved boots a little tlc and to get an inside look at the repair process, I sent them on a journey back to their Minnesota roots—with explicit instructions to keep as much well-earned character in the boots as possible.
In the same fashion as the boots were originally made, the resoling process is done by hand—with the aid of a few heavy duty machines. After the worn sole is removed the remaining material is sanded smooth, exposing a bit of the original leather last and preparing the shoe for their new soles. A layer of glue is applied to both the new sole and the old boot and left to sit under a heat lamp for some time to cure. The two are then joined together and held under intense pressure until bonded. The excess sole is then trimmed down to the proper shape and given a brief washing before leaving the re-assembly line. The boots are boxed up along with a fresh new insole and two pairs of laces, black and tan, and sent back to the owner.
Lacing them up for the first time this season was like seeing an old friend. As comfortable as ever, with their well-earned patina and some welcome new support. The rejuvenation process had breathed new life into my old boots without permanently changing the feel or overall appearance, just as I wanted. Of course, if you want them all polished up they can do that too.
The repair process includes anything from resoling and restitching to changing eyelets or hooks and is available for any pair of well worn Red Wings for $95. The price includes shipping to and from the repair shop, replacement laces and a round of leather treatment and conditioning.
For more details on the repair and modification process visit Red Wing Shoe Company online. And for a closer look at my boots’ journey view the gallery below.
Our latest video takes a look at the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s leading luxury auto makers
During a recent trip to England we were invited to tour Bentley’s factory in Crewe and had the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at how these luxury powerhouses are put together from start to finish. The hands-on plant offered a wildly different experience than other car manufacturing processes we have seen and, by relying on a level of manual precision machines can’t always replicate, provided a fascinating example of the merge of technology and craftsmanship in creating truly luxurious custom automobiles.
Furniture with built-in blueprints hints at the localized future of manufacturing
One of the design leaders in the movement to erase boundaries between digital and physical worlds, John Kestner’s company Supermechanical recently brought its first product to market. Kestner, a MIT Media Lab alumni who we first profiled for his earlier interactive projects and went on to include in our Audi Icon series, has created Rev–>Table, which rejects the modern model of hard goods consumption by empowering the owner to become the manufacturer.
Each Rev–>Table has the CAD file etched into the surface; if something breaks, smartphones can simply read the code to access the complete design schematic. Using that file, you can modify the design or use the information to create your own replacement parts. As we progress toward a future of nearly-disposable luxury electronics, inherent to Kestner’s concept is nostalgia for a time when things were made to last—yet it’s unlike anything we’ve seen previously. With longevity in mind, Kestner harnessed digital technology to create a sustainable product that can be continually regenerated by the user. A truly holistic approach, his thinking hints at innovations in quality-goods manufacturing at the local level, as well as a future of high-tech production far from the factory line.
The Rev–>Table is available for a limited time at an introductory discount price of $500 from Curisma (another MIT startup).
A behind the scenes video with Range Rover learning about the bridge between design and manufacturing
When Range Rover asked me to be a City Shaper and help tell the world about their all-new Evoque one of my first requests was to meet the car’s designers and visit the factory where they’re being built.
Exploring the role of design at Range Rover we visited their creative team in Gaydon, England to learn about how the LRX concept vehicle was translated to the all-new Evoque. From there we traveled north to the factory in Halewood to see how the cars are manufactured and what it means to bring a design to life.
We take a ride in the first Passats to come off VW’s new energy-efficient factory line
Introducing a new streamlined body while lowering the price, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat sleekly updates previous models. The big advancement being that it’s now made stateside at the German automaker’s new sustainably-minded factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. My recent visit to the plant included a detailed overview of the manufacturing process there, which begins with building the cockpit and continues until all 2,300 parts (excluding nuts and bolts) have been added. With 85% of the car locally-produced, the upshot is a stylish sedan designed specifically for the American market (read: more legroom) but delivering the highly-revered German driving experience.
The demanding U.S. customer also expects a higher standard content level, so depending on the model, the cars come equipped with features like iPod docks, a Fender Premium Audio System, Bluetooth connectivity, built-in navigation, keyless entry and more. At four inches longer than the European Passat, VW still kept in mind America’s expansive geography with a fuel economy spanning 28-43mpg.
I had the chance to drive two models—the TDI Clean Diesel and the souped-up 280hp VR6. Making my way through the scenic Tennessee backwoods, I noticed both vehicles have an exceptional turning radius when pulling a few U-turns to look at passed-up landmarks. Paddle shifters on the VR6 added to the winding drive, lending greater control when overtaking other cars and giving the midsize car an even sportier feel. While the VR6 was clearly the more powerful ride, both handled nicely with impressive linear torque.
Starting around $20,000, the new Passat is an affordable car with a lot to offer. Drivers can feel good knowing VW now ships 85% of the American line by rail and that the company is committed to implementing the latest in technology and fuel efficiency, without overlooking the car’s most important factor—a smooth ride.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
