Inspired by nature we, Ole Jørgen Iversen and my self, Jon Eirik Mangschau, have developed an industrial gripping tool, in collaboration with the automation company FESTO and their Bionic Learning Network.

Form-fitting gripping thanks to inversion

During the gripping procedure, a handling system guides the gripper across the object so that it touches the article with its silicone cap. The top pressurised chamber is then vented. The piston moves upwards by means of a spring support and the water-filled silicone part pulls itself inwards. Simultaneously, the handling system guides the gripper further across the object. In doing so, the silicone cap wraps itself around the object to be gripped, which can be of any shape, resulting in a tight form fit. The elastic silicone allows a precise adaptation to a wide range of different geometries. The high static friction of the material generates a strong holding force.

Both the holding and the release mechanism are triggered pneumatically. No additional energy is necessary for the holding process. The yielding quality of the compressible compressed air simplifies the coordination between the handling system and gripper during the grip stage. The force and the deformation of the silicone part can be set very precisely with the aid of a proportional valve. This allows several parts to be gripped at once in a single procedure.

In April 2015 the technology was presented at the Hannover technology fair. The Hannover fair is the worlds biggest technology fair.  Our gripping principal and product was promoted and displayed as one of Festo`s main events and headlines.

2016 and 2020 - Winner of IF Design Award. 2020 winner of Reddot design award. Nominated to young talent in 2016 by Doga

The Personal suitcase is handcrafted using walnut and vegetable leather. 

Showing a prosess from ideation, generating fast hand drawn sketches. Refining them in Illustrator, drawing them in 3D software and finaly 3D-printing a physical prototype.

Snow racer is hand crafted using oak veneer and stainless steel. 

In 2013 I collaborated in designing the Spinjitzu for LEGO. I was involved in both designing the physical toy and the intangible games surrounding the toy.  

Out of proportion is a kids lamp. With subtle, playful details it shows off parts of a lamp that are often hidden. 

The unit was designed to promote and generate curiosity around a music festival, by:Larm,  in Oslo 2010.

IR-BOX uses infrared light which is invisible to the human eye, but if you take a picture with a cellphone camera, a "hidden" message will appear.

The chair was made as a tribute to Oslo 2013 when the entire city seemed to be under construction with cranes and trusses surrounding the city center. 

Unfinished product. Inspired by the Swedish design icon the Ericofon telephone.