Development of the FF-5 took more than 3 years -- an inordinately long time for a helmet. Even so, OGK KABUTO managed to complete the helmet in a comparatively short time given its specifications.
This is because all steps -- from design to prototype fabrication and impact absorption testing -- were conducted in an integrated fashion at the headquarters of OGK KABUTO Helmet.
All helmet designed using CAD by our design team are molded on the spot using machine tools linked with a computer, and the shapes of elements such as the ventilation at the top part are verified using 1:1 design studies. Once a rough direction is decided, prototypes are made through actual molding done in the factory on the 1st floor of our headquarters.
Wind tunnel tests, actual running tests, impact absorption tests and other types of testing are performed with the prototypes and the green light for production will first given when those tests are passed. That is the rough flow of development.
OGK KABUTO has facilities to enable almost all of these tasks at our company, and having staff who can approach their work with a high degree of mastery is another strength.
Since more than 10 years ago, OGK KABUTO Helmet has actively developed helmets whose aerodynamics are critical, such as aerodynamic helmets for |
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In the top photograph, the helmet at left was used the Japanese team for bicycle competition in the Athens Olympics. It won the silver medal with the helmet.
The helmet at right was for an attempt to set the motorcycle maximum speed record.
Also shown are previously developed aerodynamic helmets.
The photos at the bottom show a clay model being cut via NC from drawings designed with CAD. |
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Prototypes are fabricated by gluing together fibers, based on fabricated design studies, and shapes such as the complicated duct form and overall form evolve day by day.
In order to comply with strict standards both inside and outside Japan, we have a complete set of facilities enabling in-house implementation of impact testing,
chin strap strength testing and other tests. |
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The OGK KABUTO Helmet Headquarters is more than just an administrative headquarters.
It also has design departments on the 3rd floor, and testing facilities on the 1st floor. |
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challengin the motorcycle maximum speed record, for bicycle racing (Athens Olympics) and for bobsledding. The FF-5 was conceived based on the foundation of this huge amount of data we have acquired, and was developed by going as far as testing in a full-scale wind tunnel facility for aircraft development.
The FF-5 is an unprecedented commercial helmet developed without compromise by the manufacturer who has been meticulous about the aerodynamics of helmets used in extreme conditions. Its high performance derives from the painstaking quality control methods of OGK KABUTO Helmet.
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