Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod by Colorado Tripod Company

Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod by Colorado Tripod Company is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Izinsiza Zokuthwebula Izithombe Competition Category.

IsilivaIzinsiza Zokuthwebula Izithombe· 2021

Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod

by Colorado Tripod Company

Client: Colorado Tripod Company

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Izinsiza Zokuthwebula Izithombe Category

39,190

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #108315

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod

I-Aspen iyikhanda le-tripod eliklanyelwe ukwenza lula ukwakhiwa kwezithombe. Uhlaka oluvulekile luvumela ikhamera enamathiselwe ukuthi izungeze ngokweqile kuma-90 amadigri ezindleleni zombili, kunikeza izinguquko ezisheshayo phakathi kokuma kwezwe nokuma komuntu ngaphandle kwama-L-bracket amakhulu. Ibhola linomgogodla ongenalutho onezimbobo ezehlisa isisindo kanti ligcina amandla. I-clamp elomqobisi olulungiselelekayo ibamba uhla olubanzi lwamapuleti amakhamera, ukulawulwa kokungqubuzana kubeka umgogodla, futhi ukukhiya kokujikeleza kuvumela ukuzungeza okugcwele kwezithombe ze-panoramic. I-Aspen yenziwe nge-aluminium eyi-hard anodized.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Aspen Primary Function: Ikhanda Le-tripod iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Aspen tripod head provides photographers with a large range of motion to simplify photograph composition. An open frame design allows an attached camera to rotate well beyond 90 degrees in both directions for quick adjustments in both landscape or portrait orientations. The ball features a hollow core with holes to reduce weight while maintaining strength and the adjustable lever clamp offers a quick and secure attachment to a wide range of camera plates.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width: 134 mm x Depth: 55 mm x Height: 95 mm
Weight: 440 g
Ball Diameter: 48 mm
Load Capacity: 13.6 kg
Tags: tripod head, ball head, camera support, tripod, photography accessory
Production Technology: The Aspen is constructed primarily from aluminum 6061 which is hard anodized for increased scratch and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel and bronze are also utilized for interacting threaded parts. All parts are CNC machined with either live-tooling lathes or 5-axis mills and the machining process was fine-tuned over many iterations to optimize tolerances and fit. The custom locking knob is constructed of an injected molded rubber to improve feel and ergonomics.
Design Challenge: In order to maximize range of motion, an open framed design was chosen for the Aspen. However, the construction proved difficult to ensure proper locking force and rigidity. The locking pads have much less surface area than traditional ball heads, so a number of pad shapes and materials were tested to optimize the locking mechanism. The surface finish of the anodized ball also proved to be a factor in the locking force. Additionally, the correct tolerances of the interacting parts was difficult, as a balance between tight fit and smooth movement was needed to achieve the end result.
Research: A wide variety of competitor references were studied for load capacity, vibration dampening, material selection, weight and mechanical operation. Various test rigs were created to acquire data in addition to disassembly and reconstruction of parts. A weight gauge was created to measure the max load of ball heads at various locations of load relative to the center of the ball. A vibration dampening and rigidity test was created using gyroscope and accelerometer devices attached to the ball heads. Using the data, our design team gained insight into the mechanisms and features that create a high-strength, rigid, low-weight tripod head. Range of motion was also evaluated in all of the tripod heads reviewed to ensure the Aspen exceeded the limits of traditional ball heads.
Inspiration: The Aspen design is centered around increasing range of motion to simplify the process of compositional framing for photographers who need to align their cameras quickly. The open frame construction eliminates the need to adjust the tripod legs to level the camera and makes bulky L-brackets unnecessary for switching from landscape to portrait orientations.
Project Duration: The project started in 2018 and finished in early 2020 with all design, prototyping and manufacturing taking place in Denver, Colorado, USA. The product officially launched in July 2020.
Operation Flow: A camera is mounted on the adjustable lever clamp that is attached to the Aspen hollow ball. When adjustments are needed for compositional framing, the locking knob is released and the camera is rotated into position about the center axis of the ball and then re-locked. The friction control sets drag on the ball when moving freely for a customized experience. A panning lock can be tightened or loosened to create a secure lock or to rotate the ball head 360 degrees for panoramic photographs.
Patents: Patent Pending. Application Number 29725750. David Graham Clark. 2020. USA
Team Members: Colorado Tripod Company