Inside Carbo-Link
Automated Filament Winding, Tape Laying & Consolidation machine.
When I first saw Carbo-Link’s tension members used on America’s Cup boats I immediately thought; how do they design and build these parts?
Later I learned that this is a Swiss invention from an engineering and manufacturing company based just outside of Zurich. Normally it’s very difficult, almost impossible, to get an inside view of such a high-tech company given the secrecy and confidentiality of their processes.
However, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Carbo-Link as they needed high-res product photos of their composite solutions and crisp, clean photos of the Aerospace & Defence certified factory. What a dream … It was great to explore the brand personality and to explore how best to portray the high-tech, Swiss made feel into the photographs. All services were carried out in strictest confidence, this is a very important part of my work approach with all clients.
Wally Cento ‘Galateia’. Featuring Carbo-Link’s elliptical, round and hybrid rigging cables.
Emirates Team New Zealand, Winner of the 35th Cup, Bermuda. Featuring Carbo-Link wing & platform rigging.
The loads introduced to these cables in sailing yachts can be enormous, ranging anywhere from 1ton to 300tons on the largest 80m – 90m superyachts. That is before we even look at crane pendants lifting the largest offshore oil rig components or the dynamic loads on composite helicopter blades, all of which are also engineered and manufactured by Carbo-Link.
I felt like a kid in a candy store having the chance to photograph their state-of-the-art solutions in the studio and inside the factory. It was a privilege to experience the Aerospace Certified factory, and to be involved in some of the working processes, to really capture the quality and knowledge found within Carbo-Link.
The composite solutions are perfect for photography with my unique #velvetlight. A light soft enough to reflect so smoothly on a shiny surface, resulting in beautiful images revealing all the smallest details of a structure and its high-quality finish.
Spherical Bearing Termination
Lashing Termination
Carbo-Link’s solutions feature Aerospace grade Titanium terminations, all of which are machined in-house with the most up to date 5-axis CNC machines and highly skilled technicians. I really enjoyed capturing these terminations close-up to show the intricate details and surface finishing.
Lashing Termination
CL TORQUE Pin Termination
Production floor – where science becomes reality. All of Carbo-Link’s machines are designed and build in-house to optimise the production processes.
Automated Filament Winding, Tape Laying & Consolidation machine. (with screen in foreground)
State-of-the-art 5 axis CNC machines.
5-axis CNC machines, laser cutters, FARO 3D measurement arm and more
Automated Filament Winding, Tape Laying & Consolidation machine. (with screen in foreground)
Large bed and multi-head 5-axis CNC machine for quality machining of oversized parts.
Links and information about this project:
More photos: https://bit.ly/carbolink
Carbo-Link webpage: http://www.carbo-link.com
Reference from Carbo-Link:
‘Juerg was a pleasure to work with. He has a very artistic eye and creatively approached both the product and factory photos to bring things to life perfectly. We look forward to working with Jürg again on a number of location-based projects in the near future.’
James Wilkinson
