Versatility
This week we started production of tooling for an improved rudder design for Paradox. Design work from here on in is entirely in-house. Considerable drag reductions should be possible through increasing the efficiency of the ‘L’ surface. This is achieved by improving the aspect ratio of the horizontal foil. Increasing the aspect ratio dramatically reduces […]
More Machining
Another nice piece of CNC milling for production tooling…
Digital Age
The first batch of our new Swing Rig Blocks. They come in three different ‘flavours’ to accommodate different main boom angles for different clew heights between suits. As our regular followers know, we are always passionate about sharing lessons learned in development and explaining evolving methodologies. For Katana we engineered and prototyped moulds for making […]
The New Black
Katana Marblehead specimens just out of the moulds. More to follow shortly…
In the Metal
Katana appendage tooling machined directly as female moulds from solid metal… The fin incorporates additional drought so it will be suitable for larger boats such as 10 Raters. It can also be adapted for classes with restricted drought such as the IOM. The lower Reynolds Numbers characteristic of IOM class boats makes it advantageous to use the top part […]
Katana Tooling Takes Shape
From virtual to reality. The magic is being worked by Aptec Composites. Images courtesy Alex Kryger. Hull plug/pattern (above) and deck plug (below) machined ready for surface finishing. Notice the bonding flanges for mast tubes and centreboard case, as well as all deck features, integrated in the tooling to ensure accuracy and repeatability. The mould flanges […]
Katana Marblehead Design – Foils
Marblehead foil design presents an interesting challenge because the maximum permitted draft is extremely generous. In most monohull keelboat classes, maximum draft is well short of the crossover where additional righting moment gained becomes outweighed by hydrodynamic and structural considerations. For most classes, draft can therefore be regarded as fixed (always go to maximum). In […]