Development of Mini Hurl
Essential skills of hurling
In Ireland, children typically begin learning the essential skills of hurling in junior infants, which includes fundamental actions such as picking up and striking the sliotar. However, teacher Robert Murray observed that many young players were using hurls that were disproportionately large for their size.
This mismatch in equipment not only hindered their ability to learn proper techniques but also led to poor form due to the need to compensate for the weight and size of the hurls. The repercussions of this issue extend beyond skill development, as improper handling can result in injuries and, ultimately, frustration that may deter children from pursuing the sport altogether.
Addressing this concern is crucial to ensure that young players can acquire the foundational skills necessary for successful and safe participation in hurling.
Robert met with Gavin from the Applied Polymer Technology Gateway (APT) at the TUS Athlone campus to address the significant challenges faced by young hurlers. During this meeting, Robert presented his preliminary research findings, showcasing prototypes he had developed at home using repurposed hurls, which he tested at his local GGA club grounds in St. Thomas.
Development of age-appropriate hurls
In the context of Voucher 1, they discussed various strategies to create a line of age-appropriate hurls specifically designed to accommodate the physical characteristics of junior players. An iterative design process was employed to develop detailed CAD models, facilitating thorough review and discussion. Alongside the development of the mini hurl, color-coordinated graphics were designed to assist in educating children on proper hand placement and hurl orientation.
The timeframe of Voucher 1 allowed for three design iterations to be evaluated before the overall design was approved for functional prototyping at scale, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the in-house HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer.
Loca Hurl successfully secured a second voucher to finalize the prototype for mass production. After a summer of testing the initial prototype, Robert identified several minor adjustments that could significantly enhance skill development using the mini hurl. A final prototype incorporating user feedback from Loca Hurl trials was fabricated, complete with updated graphics.
Upon approval of the prototype by Loca Hurl, the final stages of the project focused on identifying an Irish manufacturing partner to produce lightweight injection-moulded hurls with varying wall thicknesses, utilizing novel moulding techniques to achieve an optimal balance between functionality and weight.
The project handover included the revised functional and scaled prototype, a comprehensive materials report, all iterations of Adobe Illustrator graphics, 2D production and IP drawings for manufacturing and patent purposes, as well as 3D universal CAD files for production and prototyping.
1
Irish Company
1
Final prototype
2
Innovation Vouchers
“I am at the start up stage and have been working with Gavin for the past 18 months. Through the local enterprise I was able to connect with Gavin. We had an idea and needed his expertise to bring it to real life! After two innovation vouchers we had a finished prototype with a completely new design.
The journey was a great experience. Gavin was always very helpful, understanding and professional throughout the project. He provided me with a lot of necessary guidance and support. The knowledge I have come away with is invaluable. Whenever I had a question, whether via email or phone, he made himself available.
Credit to Gavin and his team. They were an absolute pleasure to work with. No doubt we will meet again at some point in the future!”
Alec Sandys
Loca Hurl Ltd & APT Technology Gateway partnership
Through collaboration with the APT design and engineering team, Loca Hurl accessed specialized expertise in polymer product design, material testing, and characterization, as well as advanced 3D printing and manufacturing facilities. This partnership allowed Loca Hurl to significantly reduce development time and costs through a streamlined iterative design process. Polymer scientists supported the selection of suitable polymers that optimized both performance and cost efficiency.
The state-of-the-art 3D printing facilities enabled full-scale functional prototyping in-house, ensuring a secure investment in tooling prior to mass production. Moreover, this collaboration facilitated a smooth transition from prototype development to large-scale manufacturing with Irish partners. Overall, the process represented a substantial learning curve in product design, polymer materials, and manufacturing for Loca Hurl, greatly enhancing their capabilities and industry knowledge.