Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi ngu-Francis Lacroix

Uyilo olubizwa ngokuba yi-Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi olwenziwe ngu-Francis Lacroix ngumwini obekekileyo webhaso elinobukhazikhazi le-2026 Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award Kudidi Lokhuphiswano lwe-Uyilo lweZinxibo zokuKhusela kunye neZixhobo zokuZikhusela.

IgolideIzixhobo zokuKhusela· 2026

Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi

ngu Francis Lacroix

Umxhasi: Royer

Umwini we-Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award Kudidi Lwe-Izixhobo zokuKhusela

36,825

Umwini Webhaso Oqinisekisiweyo

Qinisekisa Isimo Sebhaso se-#182031

Tyelela iSayithi Jonga kwi-A' Design Award Uxwebhu Lweendaba Ibheji Yembasa

Imibala

Uyilo

Malunga ne-Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi

Isihlangu i-Xpan 2.0 sinolwakhiwo lwesolisi olutsha kabhinqa oludalelwe iimeko ezingqongqo zokusebenza ngentsimbi, apho ukhuseleko lobushushu kunye nokusebenza ngobuncinci bomthwalo kufuneka kuhambelane. Isolisi yaso ehambele phambili imelana nobushushu, ukutyibilika, kunye nokurhorhoza kwiimeko ezingozi eziphakamileyo zamashishini. Iqokobhe lerabha elimelana nobushushu nedangatye ligubungela isolisi ephakathi ye-polyurethane, ligxininisa umkhusane wobushushu odibeneyo ngaphandle kokuncama ukumelana notshayelelo okanye ukongeza ubunzima. Umphumo umisa umgangatho omtsha kwizihlangu zokhuseleko lwentsimbi enyibilikayo.

Ukuqatshelwa

Malunga ne-Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award

Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo yeklasi yokuqala, ephawulekayo nentle. Abaphumeleleyo beGolide ziimveliso ezintsha kakhulu, ezinombono ongaphaya nezikhazimlayo ezibonisa ubuchule, ubulumko nobuchule babayili bazo. Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimveliso edunyiswe kakhulu, ebeka umkhwa nekumgangatho wesikhumbuzo enikela ixabiso elingazange libonwe. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award yiprojekthi emangalisayo nehlonelwayo eluncedo kakhulu kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. Xpan 2 Isihlangu Somsebenzi idala iimvakalelo ezinzulu zonqweno, ivusa umdla, ikhuthaza ukuyila kwaye iyasikhwebela.

Emva Koyilo

Ikhithi Yeendaba

Iziqinisekiso, amalungu eqela kunye neenkcukacha zobugcisa ezinikezelwe ngumyili.

Iimpawu Ezizodwa: 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.
Imilinganiselo nePakishini: 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.
Iithegi: Work boot, Safety boot, Cold Weather Protection, outsole technology, extreme job sites, Metatarsal Protection, Industrial Design
Ubuchwepheshe Bokuvelisa: 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.
Umngeni Woyilo: 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.
Uphando: 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.
Inkuthazo: 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.
Ubude Beprojekthi: 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.
Ukuhamba Komsebenzi: 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.
Amalungu Eqela: 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)