Bronze Prosumer Products and Workshop Equipment Design · 2020
Buchar MC.B5 Power Hammer
by Julius Szabo
- A' Design Award 2020 Bronze Winner in Prosumer Products and Workshop Equipment Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Julius Szabó
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 50,249
- Verification code B28F1716D6 · Verify this award
About Buchar MC.B5 Power Hammer
A light but strong power hammer called Buchar MC.B5 was intentionally developed for enthusiasts, jewellery makers as well as professional blacksmiths. Thanks to its installable wheels is easily relocatable. It allows to adjust the workspace effectively according to current needs even in a small workshop or a garage. Although, the design is focused on simplicity and easy maintenance, the machine is suitable to shape a workpiece with diameter in a range of 0-35 mm and at the same time the force is also adjustable.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- A handy and light power hammer that allows forging and shaping smaller metal objects without the need of a large operational space. It does not require a heavy construction basement under the heavy machine, is easily relocatable, adjustable to workpiece with diameter 0-35 mm.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Length: 1500 mm, Width: 700 mm, Height: 1700 mm, Total weight: 160 kg, Speed: 160 blows/min., Force: 96 N, Electric motor: 400 V, 0,75 kW, Protection: IP 55
- Tags
- Power hammer, blacksmith, forge, buchar, tool, anvil, metal, welding, steel
- Production Technology
- Considering the heavy strain of the machine, it is made of durable materials such as steel and spruce beams. The basement is made of a 22 mm MDF board and a non-combustible cement-bonded particleboard. 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 wore out parts.
- Design Challenge
- While Slovakia has a long-time tradition of engineering industry including the production of heavy power hammers, there is a lack of smaller machines allowing blacksmiths as well as enthusiasts work at their garage or workshop. The design is focused on simplicity and easy maintenance, therefore the purpose was to build a power hammer using commonly available consumer goods and limit the amount of custom-made parts.
- Project Duration
- The project started in July 2018. The first prototype was finished in October 2018 and the final design was finished in January 2019 in Trstice, Slovakia.
- Operation Flow
- The machine is driven by an electric motor, but the
steering is enabled by a treadle that is bent around the base. The machine can be controlled by a single step on the treadle from any position, regardless the workshop's arrangement. As the force is adjustable, the user can also regulate the force between a very light tap and a hard strike. The strength of the power hammer lies
in simple and safe operation, low power consumption, easy maintenance and mobility. - Inspiration
- As a free-time blacksmith I was looking for an upgrade from elbow grease hammering to a power hammer. Also I got to know that many of jewellery makers as well as professional blacksmiths experience the lack of this kind of light power hammer. This is why I wanted to develop a practical machine that saves me and other blacksmiths from the hardest work and at the same time is very easy to maintain.
Colors of Buchar MC.B5 Power Hammer
Design Interview about Buchar MC.B5 Power Hammer
As a free-time blacksmith I was looking for an upgrade from elbow grease hammering to a power hammer.
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.
I would like to produce this power hammer for enthusiast and blacksmith fellows, so they can work in their garage or workshop.
The project started in July 2018. The first prototype was finished in October 2018 and the final design was finished in January 2019.
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.
I would like to keep producing it by myself, so I can further innovate the machine, optimize its performance.
This power hammer is ideal for beginner and professional cutlers and artistic blacksmiths. Jewellery makers can also benefit from its size and light weight.
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.
Buchar means Power Hammer, MC.B5 refers to hammer weight: 5 kg.
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.
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.
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.