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Lürssen Werft, a German shipbuilding company, wants your help in designing a dampening device for manually operated hinged wind breaker doors for use on Mega Yachts.
The intention of windbreaker doors is to resist heavy winds from entering the interior of ships. Sometimes the wind is so strong that the door can be blown out of a person's hand when they open the door, smashing the lock or the deckhouse recess.
Passengers and crew will be passing through these doors constantly, regardless of the weather. Therefore, the challenge is to design hinges that make the door easy to open or close with minimum resistance to people, yet resists the force of heavy winds. Lürssen has developed two different solutions:
Type a)
The door is integrated in a larger windscreen panel and will be operated frequently by passing guests and crew. The door consists of a single frameless glass pane made of 2x8mm laminated safety glass of approx 70kg in weight.
Type b)
The unit folds into a dedicated recess within the deckhouse structure and rotates outward with two different locking positions. Integrated in the outside post is a locking mechanism that gives a positive fixture to the deck and exterior ceiling.
Illustrations for each type can be downloaded below.
The design needs to be standardized for use with the various types of wind breaker doors
Ideally the device would be hidden behind the ceiling structure but should be aesthetically pleasing if visible
The mechanism is to be maintenance free
All components must be corrosion resistant and capable of withstanding a marine environment
The system has to be operational in all weather conditions and temperatures from -5°C to +45°C
This challenge is open to everyone
Winners will be announced on GrabCAD blog and here on this challenge site under tab Results
Winners will be chosen by a joint jury of Lürssen and GrabCAD
Team entries are welcome. In case of team win, prize money will be transferred to team leader who is solely responsible for splitting it among team members.
You can submit several designs.
Only models uploaded to GrabCAD library will participate in the competition.
Only models uploaded through this challenge page here will participate in the competition.
Tag your model with “lurssen” to make it easier to find.
You may upload a private model but you need to share access to kaspar@grabcad.com
Privately uploaded models will be made public after the competition deadline.
Entries to be submitted as STEP files or AutoCAD compatible drawings.
Competition starts: May 14th 2012
NB! EXTENDED DEADLINE. Instead of June 5th new deadline will be June 12th 2012 (last time zone)
Cash prizes of $4,000
$2000 cash
$1500 cash
$500 cash
GrabCAD motivation package
GrabCAD motivation package
The top 5 winners will be chosen by both Lürssen and GrabCAD representatives based on the requirements.
Lürssen has been in operation since 1875 and is today a highly regarded shipbuilder with several yards in Germany. The company specializes in the design and build of luxury yachts, research ships and naval vessels alongside a plethora of unique SAR and supply vessels.
Frank Luessen
Kaspar KiisHave an awesome idea for this competition? Want to win cool prizes? Sign-up now to upload your entries.
If you don't receive the email within an hour (and you've checked your Spam folder), email us as confirmation@grabcad.com
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71 comments
Juan Esteban Paz (JEPaz) over 13 years ago
the door location is on the side right?
Tanel Välja over 13 years ago
Awesome challenge :)
Fateh MERRAD over 13 years ago
Let's do Design :)
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@J E Paz, that's right buddy. Doors are on the side.
William over 13 years ago
Is there any way to see an image of these doors as they are just now?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@William This challenge aims to solve a problem that is prevalent across all of their yachts. The glass door is one example - the essential elements your submitted design ought to be useable on all types of doors.
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@ Jordi van Es - Sadly no, Lurssen did not give us any STEP files. Only diagrams.
Leonardo Alves over 13 years ago
Challange accepted. =D
Juan Esteban Paz (JEPaz) over 13 years ago
@JF Bandon would you consider a new design for the door??
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
The design of the hinge is the most important element of the final product. Remember that your hinge has to be used for many different doors. I'd recommend using the given specs as a useful guide - but not an absolute rule.
Tobias Mattsson over 13 years ago
Some pictures of the existing doors and enviroment around the door would help alot to give a fast image of how the surrounding area looks like, so a concept dosnt get built that cant be installed.
Coolwin over 13 years ago
i can't unpack the specification zip file.is there any limitations in dimensions?for example height or wide or any constrain that should be consider?
Coolwin over 13 years ago
and one more thing , u said :"Lurssen did not give us any STEP files. Only diagrams." i want to know what kind of diagram can give us?
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
@Coolwin download latest version of Winace to unpack the zip file and you will get nice and detailed information to start with the competition.
Andrew Phil over 13 years ago
What is the max wind speed?
Enrico Mediano over 13 years ago
Why not use a sliding door instead of a swing door?
Tomica Vukovic over 13 years ago
I have a following questions:
- do the door must be watertight?
- do the door must open and closed with inside and outside of the room?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Enrico - Sliding doors are not allowed - They require a great deal more engineering and is difficult to implement a standard over many different ships.
@Tomica - Door does not have to be watertight. I don't think it matters which way the door opens. Type B design mentions a "dedicated recess within the deckhouse structure and rotates outward" for a door.
Keep in mind you can submit MORE THAN ONE design. So if you have several ideas, submit them all.
Pierre over 13 years ago
nice challenge !
Pierre over 13 years ago
impossible to open type a
Adam over 13 years ago
What is exactly the target? To only find the exact solution for hinges or also the new opening system which later on could be more developed too?
Hevi over 13 years ago
Good questions Adam...
Hevi over 13 years ago
Do we have some space restrictions? Max size of mechanism etc etc?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Pierre What exactly is your problem? Message me I might be able to send you a different version of the file.
@Adam Popiel As you can see, one solution that Lurssen developed is a heavy door, and another is a hinge system. Since the solution has to be standard across all yachts, a hinge solution is probably the best.
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Hevl Lurssen wants a solution that can be utilized anywhere. They chose the template because it is typical of all their yachts. Design it to fit on the template given - but try to keep it compact (and thus easier to install elsewhere)
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
@Andrey, regarding the wind speed they would like to specify a maximum of 100 knots.
Pierre over 13 years ago
i can't open the dwg file of "type a)" but no problem for "type b)"
Juan Jose P. over 13 years ago
Could you upload pictures of the current systems, please?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Volbor Do you mean to ask what the total 'swing' of the door?
Coolwin over 13 years ago
i have problem with opening attached file and it seems it's not solvable
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Coolwin I sent you an email with the uncompressed files. Anyone else having trouble?
Paolo over 13 years ago
@ JF Brandon. Me Brandon, I can't open it too. Thank you in advance
Coolwin over 13 years ago
thanks dear JF Brandon , i got it by your mail! :-)
Coolwin over 13 years ago
thanks dear JF Brandon , i got it by your mail! :-)
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Paolo message me your email address - I will send you the uncompressed files.
Doug Davey over 13 years ago
Hi All .....Can some photos be taken of the door and its parts in place ...please?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Doug Davey Ill do my best to get some pictures for you....but I stress that Lurssen wants a solution that can be used on any door...
Doug Davey over 13 years ago
Thanks JF ... I understand .... The only problem I am having is getting an understanding of the wind force as compared to the force a man/woman will apply. Damping for one may impede the other … and so we need to find a way to give freedom to one and not to the other.
I also feel the time for this project is too little ……. Its not just a design job .. there is a function design that is needed and that will take more time. Looking at the standard solution does not seem to be what you guys want.
Anyway it will be very helpful to get the photos
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Doug Davey You can always design a hinge that has mechanism that increases the resisting force when a switch is hit. That could work. As for photos, I can't provide more than what is already there it seems. They have a website www.luerssen.de if that helps. You can see the types of doors that one would see on a Megayacht.
@Jordi van Es AutoCAD blueprints and photos would be fine ... you can always team up with someone to design your idea in CAD.
Patrick Hughes over 13 years ago
What is the angular swing that needs to be accommodated? Does the door swing both ways? :-)
I agree with Doug that the time allowed is rather restrictive.
Eng Hyd over 13 years ago
how you will pay the money ?
Tomas over 13 years ago
I also try to participate in this challenge :) Soon, I will finish create a model :)
Tomas over 13 years ago
:)))
Kira over 13 years ago
A few questions, if you don't mind me asking: Mass interval of the door(s), pivotal degree, and are we allowed to incorporate electricity into our design (e.g. batteries)? Lastly, isn't aesthetics a matter of opinion? In this case, how do you define a design being pleasing to look at (i.e. does having a cylinder pushing against the door be ugly?)
Kira over 13 years ago
for the sake of calculations, could someone tell me the size of the door; width*height*thickness? Thanks!
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@EngrAliH Usually thru Paypal
@Tomas Awesome!
@Kira Electricity is allowable - Maintenance-free use of electricity would be the best. yes Aethetics is a matter of taste - but take a look at their website ... and you can get an idea of what their client's tastes are like. Use your common sense :P As for the dimensions, take what you can from the specs. This mechanism is supposed to be used on multiple yachts and doors.
Kira over 13 years ago
I would assume that the maximum free motion is only 90 degree?
Rob Froelich over 13 years ago
Just a thought, what about a pocket style door? I never had the opportunity to be on a Yacht...is that a viable solution? Anyway, if not maybe that will give someone a different idea...Wish everyone luck!
Kira over 13 years ago
Are we allow to embed the device into the wall?
Kira over 13 years ago
some 2-3" deep?
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Kira preferably you want the device hidden... And 3" should be fine...
Mattblack Speedshop over 13 years ago
Brandon! I have problem opening the .dwg files, can you send me a different version...I have a good solution I just need to adapt it to the doo thanks!
JF Brandon over 13 years ago
@Mattblack - sent.
Kira over 13 years ago
big happy face :D
HUSSAM KAMEL over 13 years ago
hi can a person win more than prize in one challenge?
cagdas aksu over 13 years ago
i suppose those yachts have doors with different sizes. Is it possible if you can inform us about the ranges of door sizes?
Tomas over 13 years ago
Thanks for the extended time, now enough time for me to propose another possible solution! :)
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
@Hussam, one person can not earn more than one prize but will definitely be mentioned in our blog if more than one submission is compatible.
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
@ajinkya, I update the specification with older AutoCAD versions. You should be able to open the Type A no problem now.
Pierre over 13 years ago
why you d'ont use that ??? https://www.google.fr/search?q=ferme+porte&hl=fr&safe=off&rlz=1C2CHKI_frFR422FR455&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=1e3NT6-cKunK0QXx-u3tCw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CJsBEPwFKAE&biw=1785&bih=969
Pierre over 13 years ago
why you want create a new system if it's already exist ?
Tomas over 13 years ago
@ Pierre,
...in every situation are created almost perfect things, but always can be better!!! This is what we are trying to do, maybe able to find a better option, than it is now!
Pierre over 13 years ago
it's only my opinion, i think it's not necessary to create a new system ^^
Tomas over 13 years ago
@ Pierre, I also just said my opinion. :D:D
Tomas over 13 years ago
How many different and interesting models :) Nice challenge!
navalarch over 13 years ago
Dear Kaspar, I just submitted my proposal. I hope it is within deadline. BR.
Michele Gorra over 13 years ago
Hello, i don't see my model yet (submitted next to deadline), hope is OK :) Thank you, very nice challenge.
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
Hi all! Another great challenge has ended. We are aware that there are few designs missing and are currently working on it. If your entry doesn't appear after 8 hours, please send me an e-mail to kaspar@grabcad.com and I will take care of that. Meanwhile please make sure all the private entries are made public. Thank you.
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
@Fred, your design is among the entries and will definitely be considered. We are working on getting the renderings fixed.
marcin otręba over 13 years ago
i dont see my proposition yet... i sent it private
Kaspar Kiis over 13 years ago
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everybody participating in the challenge. See you in other competitions.
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