Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears troch Francis Lacroix

Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears troch Francis Lacroix is in heech wurdearre winner fan de tige prestizjeuze 2026 A' Design Award yn Goud yn de kompetysje-kategory Feilichheidsklean en Persoanlike Beskermingsmiddelen Ûntwerp.

GoudBeskermingsmiddel· 2026

Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears

troch Francis Lacroix

Klant: Royer

A' Design Award yn Goud Winner yn de kategory Beskermingsmiddel

36,825

Ferifiearre Priiswinner

Ferifiearje Prisstatus foar #182031

Besykje Side Besjoch by A' Design Award Parseberjocht Priisbadge

Kleuren

It Untwerp

Oer Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears

Boektekst: De Xpan 2.0-lears hat in trochbraak-soalarsjitektuer dy't boud is foar ekstreme metallurgyske omjouwings, wêr't termyske beskerming en lichtgewicht prestaasjes njonkeninoar bestean moatte. De avansearre soal wjerstiet hjitte, útglydzjen en slitaazje yn yndustriële omjouwings mei heech risiko. In hjitte- en flambestindige rubberskil omhuldet de tuskensoal fan polyurethaan, dy't in yntegreare termyske barriêre foarmet sûnder de skokabsorpsje op te offerjen of gewicht ta te foegjen. It resultaat set in nije standert foar feilichheidsskuon foar smelt metaal.

De Erkenning

Oer de A' Design Award yn Goud

Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Goud, in ekstreem prestisjeuze erkenning foar earste-klas, prachtige en treflike ûntwerpen. Goudwinners binne tige ynnovative, fisionêre en glamoureus ferbjusterjende skeppings dy't it sjeny, de wiisheid en de feardigens fan har ûntwerpers wjerspegelje. Fan Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige priizge, trendsettende en monumintale útfining is dy't unferlykbere wearde leveret. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Goud is in spektakulêr, respektearre projekt dat grutte foardielen bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Xpan 2 Primaire Funksje: Wurklears makket yntinse gefoelens fan begearte, stekt passy oan, stimulearret kreativiteit en fassinearret ús.

Efter it Untwerp

Parsepakket

Credits, teamleden en technyske details levere troch de ûntwerper.

Unike Eigenskippen: The sole is designed in a way to encapsulate the quasi-totality of the polyurethane midsole by the heat and flame resistant rubber outsole leaving only a slight contour. Thus, offering a lighter and highly shock absorbing sole all the while providing maximal foot protection and durability.
Ofmjittingen & Ferpakking: A US size 9.0 (42 EU) pair has an approximate height of 200 mm and is built on an ergonomic shoelast designed to closely follow the natural morphology of the foot, ensuring fit precision and comfort. Each pair is packaged in a rectangular box measuring approximately 200 x 200 x 100 mm. The packaging, made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, protects the product from factory to end user.
Labels: Work boot, Safety boot, Cold Weather Protection, outsole technology, extreme job sites, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design
Produksjetechnology: The design process began with exploratory hand sketches to define proportions, functional zones and visual identity. Concepts were refined using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) to develop precise renderings and material simulations. A detailed technical drawing was then produced to guide tooling and upper manufacturing. A comprehensive tech pack ensured accurate translation of design intent into production.
Untwerpútdaging: The most complex challenge was achieving resistance to molten metal, particularly full immersion in liquid aluminum exceeding 1,000°C. Aluminum’s very low viscosity allows rapid penetration, making material selection and upper construction highly critical. The difficulty was intensified by bonding the upper to a rubber outsole through polyurethane injection, a material sensitive to heat above 150°C. Balancing extreme thermal protection with manufacturability required extensive experimentation and process control.
Undersyk: Type of Research: Experimental product R&D following a five-phase Stage-Gate methodology. Research Objectives: Improve protection, comfort, and durability in molten metal environments. Methodology: Define measurable performance criteria and validate materials against them. Data Collection and Tools: Iterative lab testing on weight, slip resistance, molten metal splash and aluminum bath immersion. Participants: Internal R&D and manufacturing teams. Results: Measurable gains across all parameters. Insights and Impacts: Enhanced safety standards, industrial reliability, and long-term value for high-risk metal processing sectors.
Ynspiraasje: The sole design draws inspiration from the aerodynamic geometry of the CF-105 Arrow developed by Avro Canada. Its triangular wing structure and directional arrow motifs informed the tread’s dynamic chevron pattern, engineered to enhance forward traction and stability. The project merges aerospace precision with industrial safety research, translating principles of thrust, grip, and structural resilience into a high-performance work boot outsole.
Projektdoer: The project started in January 2023 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, and was completed in December 2025. The three-year development cycle included the Definition, Design, Prototyping, and Production Implementation phases. The product was officially launched in January 2026. A continuous Monitoring and Feedback phase has been ongoing since market introduction to ensure long-term performance optimization.
Operaasjestreamferrin: The Xpan 2.0 boot improves upon previous generations in every critical aspect. It offers higher resistance to molten metal splash, enhanced slip protection on certified test surfaces, reduced weight, improved ergonomic fit, and greater durability against abrasion and tearing. Each performance parameter was tested and validated, demonstrating measurable progress over the previous model, already recognized as a global benchmark in primary and secondary metal processing environments.
Teamleden: Sponsor: Simon La Rochelle
Innovation Director: Francis Lacroix
Product Developer: Vincent Blais
Project Manager: Elyzabeth Bouchard
Operations Director: Etienne Sirois
Production Technician: Brittaney La Penna
Production Technician: Simon Turk
Technical Partner: Benedetto Scarnera (SFB Srl)
Technical Partner: Felice Scarnera (SFB Srl)