Dario's Lab

Marvelling at the Commonplace in Nature

Familiar elements of our environment often reveal, on close inspection, insights that can inform us when designing machines intended to perform in similar circumstances. Where designers have the ability to start from scratch, cumulatively selected natural structures show how an efficient arrangement can emerge from an arbitrary starting point, with a limited ‘kit of parts’. […]

Golden Rule

One final reflection about recent events in the A Class, before resuming normal programming. Future posts will focus on hopefully interesting technical commentary, and updates on our projects…“The golden rule is that the words of a statute must prima facie be given their ordinary meaning.” Viscount Simon, in Nokes v. Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries, [1940] A.C. […]

Growing

We now have an opening for a composite fabricator/shipwright.   Our workload is growing so we would like to take on another team member.Projects include UAV airframes, customer parts, RC yachts, and our A Class catamaran.A good mix of one-off prototypes for R&D, and production items.   If you possess skills in carbon fiber pre-peg […]

2015 Paradox

First Public Introduction of our All New Version 3 A Class Catamaran   Concept –          Speed, stability, easy to tune for different conditions, value, elegant engineering. –          Benefiting from three years of structured testing, data collection and validation. –          Developed in close collaboration with Glenn Ashby. –          Built in Australia to aerospace standards.   Hull Shape […]

Farewell 2014

Some images looking back on a year of regrouping, transition, and growth: Production L rudders, proven at the A Class Catamaran Worlds Mould for experimental T rudder elevator with junction bulb.  Part of extensive R&D work on appendages Rudder gudgeon assembly with ‘between races’ rake adjustment Experimental gudgeons with ‘on the fly’ rake adjustment via […]

Choices

We have received many questions regarding the differences between ‘active’ and ‘passive’ foil systems for full foiling. So here is a look at the principles with respect to performance. Active An active system consists of a foil with variable camber or variable angle of incidence controlled by a sensor that measures heave position (ride height). […]

Bling

New Moth bow mechanism developed with Scott Babbage now available from SailingBits. CarbonicBoats worked with Scott to develop a system with less friction, almost zero play, and built-in adjustment of gearing and wand length. Four prototypes incorporating different shapes and bearing materials were created and tested before the production version could be signed off. A great project […]

Checking In

Click here to read a Q&A Session with Martin Vanzulli who is doing a great job of keeping the A Class website up to date as well as running the Catsailingnews blog. The interview covers our V3 Paradox A Class design (nearing production) as well as our ongoing foil R&D work. The final questions are […]

Inevitable

Here is an extended mix showing some early runs with experimental control system foil configurations. Though there is still vast untapped potential, these sequences give a flavour of what is surely to come. Everyone who tried it commented, through a persistent grin, that it is easy and feels secure.As often repeated on this site, the […]

Paving the Way

Lots to report as we continue to test over the winter… We are working on the next-generation Paradox A Class Cat design for the 2015 season, resolving the details for all new tooling to be created in-house at a new facility. Now that our new expanded production facility is operational we can tackle such jobs […]