Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh per Francis Lacroix

Lo dissènh Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh per Francis Lacroix es un laureat autfo estimfo del prestigfo 2026 A' Design Award d'Aur dins la Categoria de Competfo Equipament de Proteccion.

AurEquipament de Proteccion· 2026

Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh

per Francis Lacroix

Client : Royer

Laureat del A' Design Award d'Aur dins la Categoria Equipament de Proteccion

36,825

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Lo Concèpte

A prepaus de Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh

Tèxte del Libre: La bòta Xpan 2.0 presenta una arquitectura de sòla revolucionària concebuda per als environaments metallurgics extrèms, ont la proteccion tèrmica e la performança leugièra devon coexistir. Sa sòla avançada resistís a la calor, als esliscaments e a l'abrasion dins d'environaments industrials d'aut risc. Una carcassa de goma resistenta a la calor e a las flamas encapsula l'entresòla de poliuretan, formant una barrièra tèrmica integrada sens sacrificar l'absorpcion dels chòcs ni apondre de pes. Lo resultat establís una novèla referéncia dins las cauçaduras de seguretat contra lo metal fondut.

La Reconoissença

A prepaus del A' Design Award d'Aur

Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award d'Aur, una reconeissença immensament prestigiosa acordada a de designs de primièra qualitat, meravilhoses e excellents. Los ganhaires de l'Aur son de creacions extrèmament innovantas, visionàrias e esbleugissentas, que reflectisson lo prodigi, la sabença e la proeça de lors designers. S'espèra que Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh siá una invencion fòrça lausada, que dintra de tendéncias e monumentala, que provesís un valor sens precedent. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award d'Aur es un projècte espectaclós e respectat, que fa un grand ben e fa avançar las frontièras de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia. Xpan 2 Foncion Principala: Bòta de Trabalh crea de sentiments intensos de desirs, evòca la passion, encoratja la creativitat e fascina.

Darrièr lo concèpte

Kit de premsa

Crèdits, membres de l'equipa e detalhs tecnics fornits pel designer.

Proprietats Unicas: 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.
Dimensions e Embalatge: 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.
Etiquetas: Work boot, Safety boot, Cold Weather Protection, outsole technology, extreme job sites, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design
Tecnologia de Produccion: 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.
Desaffo de Dissènh: 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.
Recèrca: 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.
Inspiracion: 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.
Durada del Projècte: 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.
Flux Operacional: 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.
Membres de l'Equipa: 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)