Thermamax Presented a New Engine Enclosure Design Study

Germany-based thermal and acoustic insulation specialist Thermamax presented at SMM show 2016 in Hamburg a new Engine Enclosure Design Study embodying “stealth-design” principles. The individual and visually attractive aesthetics of the study set a new standard and enable to achieve a clear competitive differentiation.

Alongside the safety aspect that is inherent in our products, the question of design has a particular importance. Design does not just mean a good appearance, it can reflect brand image, convey innovation, capability and quality, and with it a clear competitive advantage for our customers. In our internal design studio we are constantly working to maximize the impact of the appearance of our products.

The Tmax-Design Study for an Engine Enclosure embodying “stealth-design” principles is a result of this philosophy. This design style deliberately avoids an elegant, soft-contoured approach. A blend of styles is given up in favor of a more aggressive appearance, expressing dynamism, maneuverability and speed.                 

The characteristic of a stealth-design is large surface areas with 2D triangular features ensuring strong reflections. This design form was developed in the 80’s for Bomber aircraft in order that they would be invisible to radar – the so-called “Stealth Technology”. Due to the angular shapes, radar or light waves were only intermittently reflected by the object’s movements. That led to the desired “Stealth Technology” and to the reflections of the design objects. Stylistically, the uniqueness of the stealth-design was so attractive that after several years many designers adopted it for their more extravagant, exotic products. Today one can often find elements of stealth-design in the furniture industry and particularly in the marine sector, but also in everyday products like knives, headphones, packaging etc.            

The Tmax-Design Study for an Engine Enclosure with Stealth-Design offers several benefits. The dynamic appearance attracts individuals and boat owners who want something different, as well as complementing the general aura associated with sport boats. 

Additional styling features are possible by using different surface finishes. Sheet components can be supplied with a brushed matt surface or combined with a highly polished finish, meaning that the enclosure can be easily made to meet individual preferences.

Thermamax uses neatly profiled corrugations and flat recesses and raised points in the manufacture of the sheet material, and this in turn increases the stiffness of the enclosure. This saves the use of additional material and ensures minimum weight. Combining these design elements with the stealth-design gives an even finer, more delicate structure, guaranteed to attract attention.

Stealth-design is transferable to all 100% SOLAS-conforming Tmax-Insulation Enclosures, fulfilling all safety requirements for marine engine rooms.

Apart from its special look, this surface design fits perfectly into our production process. Although flat sheets with dynamic basic proportions based on triangles would normally present a big challenge for designers, for us they are a straightforward manufacture.

The design study concept and realization is 100% Thermamax, again underlining our know-how and vertical integration. Advances of this nature are only possible when unconventional ideas can be conceived, pursued, and realized in the right environment. Precisely the right conditions exist in our internal inter-disciplinary think tank tBrain.  This is the nerve center representing all departments including Design, Thermodynamics, Technology, Research & Development, and Business Development. In addition, in Thermamax’s own design studio, high-performance, high-temperature insulations can be transformed into visual highlights.