Technician
at the department of civil engineering at the Trois-Rivières cégep, Michel
Beaudoin invented quite a special machine named the Spin Machine. Based on the same
principle of the old spin driers used for laundry, the Spin Machine is used to
give a curve to speed skating blades. Finished is the time when one folds his
blades using the benches in the bleachers of arenas.
Remarks collected by Jean-Michel Lachance
Traducted by Stéphanie Bergeron
How did you
get the idea of the Spin Machine concept?
Voluntarily,
at the time where my two sons were with the speed skating club Les Élans de
Trois-Rivières, I chose the task of being responsible of the equipment. One of
the tasks was folding the blades to obtain a curve (Bending). The technique was
done starting from the principle of folding per specific crushing. With this
method, it was necessary to put much time and energy to obtain a relatively
appreciated result. Moreover, the blades became weaker. I then had the idea to
look at what the principles of folding were. After much study, drawings and
different prototypes, the Spin Machine was born. This machine allows people in
barely any time at all to fold and unfold the blade.
How many machines
were sold?
I designed two
models; rather two generations of Spin Machine. Ten apparatuses of the first
generation were manufactured and all sold. For the 2nd generation, six are
sold. Starting from mechanical plans, finished plans are sent in various
manufacturing companies. The selected company manufactures the parts. Thereafter,
I make the assembly and the adjustments necessary. I have the final touch say
on the machines.
Were you
copied by others manufacturers?
Several ountries have copied it. First to copy it was Italy, thereafter Australia, China and Korea.
What is the
opinion of skaters toward your invention?
Little time before the 2002 Olympics, Éric
Bédard carried out tests on my apparatus. He was enchanted by the speed of execution,
the resistance, the quality of the curve, the rigidity and the diminution of
vibrations that was brought to the blade. Initially, this innovation was to help
small clubs with the folding of blades. However, it is especially the high
level national teams which make good use of it: Canada, China, England, France, the United States, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Holland.
Dryers (1873)
Spin Machine second generation
Spin Machine first generation
Photo: Spin machine version 1,2, dryers
Credit: Photo Karl Goulet (spin machine version 2) , Photo Michel Beaudoin (spin machine version 1),
Essoreuse
à linge, dessin de Jahandier (1873)
Jeudi, mai 11 @ 22:40:14 PDT
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