But Will It Bend?
(image via: Trendhunter)
Common Fibers is taking what seems to be the route of choice these days for product launches: Kickstarter. The company’s campaign (“Common Fibers – A Real Carbon Fiber Wallet“) begins today with a $20,000 initial funding goal along with a graduated series of stretch goals ranging up to $100,000. Naturally, backers will receive a tantalizing range of rewards as funding goals are met, exceeded and met again.
(image via: Common Fibers)
But back to the wallets – true triumphs of engineering applied to a low-tech yet exceptionally personal accessory that has but a single moving part: the central hinge. Common Fibers faced an especially onerous challenge in creating a hinge from normally inflexible carbon fiber. The solution was involved addition (flexibility, that is) through subtraction: delicately laser-ablating resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheeting to the point where strength was retained and movement through a single plane of motion was enabled. In short, it bends but it won’t break, even after innumerable cycles!
(image via: Common Fibers)
The resin removal process leaves the carbon fiber with 80 percent of its original strength, a still considerable quotient measured by Common Fibers at 800 lbs per inch of hinge. Through months of rigorous field testing, not a single instance of hinge failure has been reported. The wallet hinges are sealed with polyurethane protective tape to add an appealing finish while boosting hinge strength even further.
