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Removable Instrument Mount
Client: GoPro
Skills: Material Research, Guerilla Testing Prototyping, Vendor liaison (ing) Project Scope: Create a custom adhesive solution that will allow musicians to safely mount a QR base to their instrument temporarily without fear of damaging their instrument.
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Requirements
Product requirements for Music Use:
• An adhesive that will not damage common finishes found on guitars, drums, and brass instruments.
• Strong enough to resist common and uncommon activities performed by a musician.
• Easy to release.
Known Issues:
• Strong hold, easy release, and no residue is basically the “Holy Grail” of adhesives.
• No development time. Finding a resource that can deliver the material (once identified), in the quantities required, in the short schedule, and at our cost target, will define if this project is feasible.
• An adhesive that will not damage common finishes found on guitars, drums, and brass instruments.
• Strong enough to resist common and uncommon activities performed by a musician.
• Easy to release.
Known Issues:
• Strong hold, easy release, and no residue is basically the “Holy Grail” of adhesives.
• No development time. Finding a resource that can deliver the material (once identified), in the quantities required, in the short schedule, and at our cost target, will define if this project is feasible.
Feel free to read all the nitty gritty details or...
Click below to skip all that and watch a sweet video.
Initial Research:
Initial material research focused on the use of 3M command strips because of their reputation of being able to hold securely but also removing cleanly. Initial testing seemed very promising.
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The 3M Command Strip tape exceeded all expectations in terms of holding performance. Unfortunately its weakness came during removal. Very often the pull tabs would break during removal, thus making it necessary to pry off the mount instead of it gently removing. Prying off the mount can easily cause damage to a wood finish.
Other notable issues:
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Alternatives to 3M
Working with our vendors we explored several other options worthy of mention.
Working with our vendors we explored several other options worthy of mention.
Suction Cup Tape
Essentially the surface of the tape has thousands of microscopic craters that work by creating many partial vacuums between the tape and the target surface. The tape leaves no residue and can be reapplied repeatedly. To remove, you simply pull the tape off or twist it to break the bond. Cleaning with a wet tissue will remove debris from the craters and rejuvenate its suction properties.
The negative issue is that the tape twisted or pulled off in order to break the bond. Although the levels of bond can be varied by altering the density of tape and size of the craters, it still an engineering balancing act between having enough force to hold, but not enough force to release. Not an ideal situation where amount of force required varies depending on surface material and attachment weight.
Essentially the surface of the tape has thousands of microscopic craters that work by creating many partial vacuums between the tape and the target surface. The tape leaves no residue and can be reapplied repeatedly. To remove, you simply pull the tape off or twist it to break the bond. Cleaning with a wet tissue will remove debris from the craters and rejuvenate its suction properties.
The negative issue is that the tape twisted or pulled off in order to break the bond. Although the levels of bond can be varied by altering the density of tape and size of the craters, it still an engineering balancing act between having enough force to hold, but not enough force to release. Not an ideal situation where amount of force required varies depending on surface material and attachment weight.
3M Flexographic Tape
Flexographic tape was created to mount printing plates to metal rollers. It is designed to adhere very well but cleanly remove. It also comes in a variety of different holding strengths.
Peeling works very well…twisting takes some effort to overcome the force and typically leaves residue.
Flexographic tape was created to mount printing plates to metal rollers. It is designed to adhere very well but cleanly remove. It also comes in a variety of different holding strengths.
Peeling works very well…twisting takes some effort to overcome the force and typically leaves residue.
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Tesa “power strip” tape
Tesa power strip tape was introduced to us by the folks at Marion Inc. It is a stretch to release tape similar to 3M command strips and sold throughout Europe for similar applications.
Tesa power strip tape was introduced to us by the folks at Marion Inc. It is a stretch to release tape similar to 3M command strips and sold throughout Europe for similar applications.
Unlike 3M, Tesa tape is available in sheets and is produced in a variety of thickness (all of which were thinner than the 3M Command strip. It was also made of one homogenous layer and therefore dose not tear easily (no broken tabs)
Initial testing showed that the material removed clean and easily.
Initial holding tests showed only slightly positive results. One partial reason for this lack of performance was because our QR mount is not flat and neither is the mounting surface. This created air gaps between the mount and the surface.
Initial testing showed that the material removed clean and easily.
Initial holding tests showed only slightly positive results. One partial reason for this lack of performance was because our QR mount is not flat and neither is the mounting surface. This created air gaps between the mount and the surface.
The Aha Moment
Initial success came when we stacked the Tesa tape under our current VHB. This basically created a more conformable pull-to-release tape. And it works really well.
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More testing and refinement
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Liner refinement
The liner is used to protect the VHB as well as provide a good surface for the Tesa tape to bond to. The thinner the liner the more conforming the mount would be and greater the holding strength. Thinner also meant more likely to deform or wrinkle. We tested several liners to determine which material and thickness was optimum for our needs.
The liner is used to protect the VHB as well as provide a good surface for the Tesa tape to bond to. The thinner the liner the more conforming the mount would be and greater the holding strength. Thinner also meant more likely to deform or wrinkle. We tested several liners to determine which material and thickness was optimum for our needs.
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Environmental Testing
To quickly simulate environmental conditions froze it, washed it, and baked it, then removed it.
To quickly simulate environmental conditions froze it, washed it, and baked it, then removed it.
Final Numbers
A vertical push test on the Instron was used to compare the different configurations. (In this 1 test, the final configuration turned out to be 25% stronger than our current VHB.) Said another way- The temporary adhesive for delicate instruments was performing better than our high strength adhesive, and it also removes cleanly.
Other considerations
Product messaging and user instructions were key to a positive experience. Packaging and on product labels were created.
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The GoPro Removable Instrument Mount
Mount your GoPro to guitars, drums, turntables, keyboards and more to capture immersive footage during practice or performance. These temporary mounts are easy to remove and feature non-damaging adhesive that’s safe for most instrument surfaces. Retail pack includes three mounts and two single-use adhesive strips.