Mike Lai | Product Design
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Challenge

Design winter sport gear for traveling on ice and snow

Solution

Maglon is the only magnetic binding system for ice climbers that attaches crampons efficiently and securely


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124 people have died over the last 50 years 
                from incorrect crampon operation 
                 
        


  — American Alpine Club

















Climbers’ Concerns


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Mark Petnuch


Age 62, Male

33 years experience



"Current crampons are difficult to use and still has potential danger"

Usability &  Security

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Josh Pollock


Age 39, Male

12 years experience



"Ensuring the crampon can't come off the boots while in the middle of climbing"

Security 






Issues of Use


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Crampons occasionally detach

Current crampons still have this 
potential danger. None are 100% secure

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Problems with heavy gloves

When the climber ties his straps with heavy gloves, it is difficult to hold and pass them through the bail

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Heavy snow build up

The climber needs to clean a flat platform for attaching 
crampons. It takes about 2 to 5 minutes





Design Criteria


Effortless

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Easy to use, and attach 
crampons with no mess

Efficient

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Use minimal time to attach crampons on boots

Secure

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Fully protect climbers on ice

Integrated

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Integrated system with crampons and boots






Concept Development




Concept 1:
Screw adjustment


Using screw to adjust the height of crampons in outsole. 

Before climbers reach approach spot, they raise their crampons. When they start to climb, lower the crampons, and ready to go

Crampons built in boots

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Concept 2:
Magnetic attachment


Use magnet to attach crampons to boots. 

When climb starts, put crampons on the ground, and move their foot over magnet, which automatically attaches to outsole. 

Crampons and boots are independent pieces

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Mockup Testing


Material: plastic work boots, MDF, and water jet on stainless steel

Concept 1: 
Screw adjustment

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Problem:

MDF is too weak to support body weight, so it broke when I was wearing it

Concept 2:
Magnetic attachment

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Problem:

I screwed magnet into rubber outsole, but it couldn’t hold the force. It came out while I was climbing

Both issues:  MDF is slippery to climb and spikes are too short to grab the ice






Concept Selection


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Screw adjustment

This involves complex mechanical function, and need a space to place screw

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Magnetic attachment

Easy to attach, and only need a space for magnet in both crampons and boots






Mockup Refinement


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1. Add an extra rubber layer instead of MDF, and fasten it on outsole


2. Fasten magnet on current crampons instead of water jet stainless steel

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Aesthetic Ideation


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Crampons

Inspired by natural animals’ claw, such as crab.insect,leopard and talon

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Talon chosen 

From different ideas, talon is a inspiration for crampons and product name
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Sole design

Inspired by mountain goat’s outsole, will gives boots traction while traveling on snow
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Ankle support

The ankle is surrounded a closed cell foam. This the ideation of shapes
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Fidlock

Magnetic buckle provides ease of locking while attaching crampons
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Final sketch


Crampons off
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Crampons on

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