Design-Interview
Buchar MC.B5 Krafthammer · 12 Fragen
As a free-time blacksmith I was looking for an upgrade from elbow grease hammering to a power hammer.
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
As a free-time blacksmith I was looking for an upgrade from elbow grease hammering to a power hammer.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
As I have limited space in my tiny workshop, I desired to create a fully functional, but light and mobile power hammer, that saves me from the hardest work of forging, and at the same time is very easy to maintain.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
I would like to produce this power hammer for enthusiast and blacksmith fellows, so they can work in their garage or workshop.
How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
The project started in July 2018. The first prototype was finished in October 2018 and the final design was finished in January 2019.
Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
The power hammer was primarily created for my own personal usage. In the meantime though, I got to know that many of jewellery makers as well as professional blacksmiths experience the lack of this kind of light power hammer.
Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
I would like to keep producing it by myself, so I can further innovate the machine, optimize its performance.
Who is the target customer for his design?
This power hammer is ideal for beginner and professional cutlers and artistic blacksmiths. Jewellery makers can also benefit from its size and light weight.
What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
The design is focused on simplicity and easy maintenance. Only the main frame and the stand of flywheel is welded, the other parts are mostly connected by screws and joints that allow the easy maintaining or replacing the worn-out parts. The purpose was to build a power hammer using commonly available consumer goods and limit the amount of custom-made parts.
How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
Buchar means Power Hammer, MC.B5 refers to hammer weight: 5 kg.
Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
Usually I use paper and pencil to draw the first sketches of a project. Fortunately, I am a visual type of person, so I can easily imagine the whole concept. I enjoy to design by empirical method: to observe, to try and to innovate. The technical drawing programs come later; I prefer to depict the already made project rather than planning it.
Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
The machine was built only by myself as I enjoy to see the idea/concept become a reality by my own hand. I also believe, the mistakes I made - and they were plenty - taught me the most. They always force me to keep studying and to stay humble.
What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
I learned a lot about the behaviour and strength of used materials, welding processes, physical laws of energy. It was a very exciting journey to understand the transformation of materials.
