June 23 2016
Solar Impulse 2 completes first ever Atlantic crossing by solar plane.
The zero-fuel aeroplane, Solar Impulse 2, has landed in the southern Spanish city of Seville to complete its historic Atlantic crossing.
Pilot Bertrand Piccard made swift progress over the ocean after leaving New York on Monday.
The flight was the 15th stage in Solar Impulse's bid to circumnavigate the globe.
The Solar Impulse 2 has a 72m wingspan, wider than a Boeing 747, and carries over 17,000 solar cells. During daylight, the solar panels charge the plane's batteries, which make up a quarter of the craft's 2.3 tonne weight. The pilot also climbs to 29,000 feet during the day and glides down to 5,000 feet during the night, to conserve power. The plane flies at about 30mph, although it can go faster if the sun is bright.
Source: Solar Impulse
April 27 2016
Décision Achieves ISO 9001 and EN 9100 Certifications
Through the years, Décision - Groupe Carboman has prided itself on developing a Culture of Excellence, which was rewarded, this March, with the company being granted certifications ISO 9001:2008 and EN 9100:2009 certifications.
Obtaining these certifications requires a significant investment from the teams in order that they meet the requirements of a Quality Management System. Implementing these procedures and thereby harmonising working practices ensures greater and better cohesion between the teams, as well as increasing spirit within the company.
Towards Aeronautical Markets
After producing a great majority of composites parts for the Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg planes, Solar Impulse I and II, the goal for Décision is now to target certain growing markets and fields, such as the aeronautical, aerospatial and defence industries. In this regard, the EN 9100 certification is particularly important, demanded as it is by clients in these fields for their highly technical projects.
As Jean-Claude Schoepf, Groupe Carboman's General Manager underlined, the work done to achieve the certifications will also have a positive impact upon the other sectors in which Décision already has a presence, such as the nautical market or the luxury industry, despite the fact that neither don't, as yet, benefit from specific certifications.
The Groupe Carboman remains very active in its commitment to continuous improvement across its teams. Décision is its second entity to be certified, preceded by Multiplast in 2015. Carboman will ensure that others will follow...
April 18 2016
World premiere of first "SILVER ARROW OF THE SEAS"
Where the luxury motor yacht meets the luxury passenger car.
The Silver Arrows Marine ARROW460-Granturismo is the mould-breaking first model from a new partnership to build a luxury motor yacht that captures the design purity and dynamism of a Mercedes-Benz automobile.
ARROW460-Granturismo arrives after a four-year development period during which Silver Arrows Marine worked in close collaboration with its partner Mercedes-Benz Style and many of the world's most eminent names in yacht design and construction.
Unveiled on the Côte d'Azur during the launch of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet, the first pre-production yacht is named Mercedes. The 706 kW (960 hp) yacht is embarking on sea trials out of Nice ahead of the final commissioning of the interior, due in May when full technical and commercial details will be released.
Displaying the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy, the automotive DNA in ARROW460-Granturismo is plain to see. It ensures sensual purity unlike anything else on the water while delivering an on-board experience that only a complete re-imagining of the 14m class of motor yacht could deliver.
With its long foredeck, a flowing, arched roofline and a slightly descending rear, the yacht has classic automobile proportions. The concave and convex interaction along the entire flank creates a highly sculptural hull that conveys both dynamism and serenity. The overall composition is accentuated by elegantly styled yet functional details. Great attention has been paid to the handrails, for example, which are perfectly integrated into the roofline.
In its open-plan layout, ingenious functionality and innovative use of light and space, ARROW460-Granturismo represents a new standard in day cruising. Uniquely, the yacht's 'crossover' approach delivers the benefits of both traditional closed and open boats in a single versatile design, blending indoor and outdoor spaces in ways never before achieved in this size of yacht. Rated for up to 10 passengers, it is a very open and sociable yacht, the design allowing free-flowing access from stem to stern while the cabin is able to transform into luxury overnight accommodation for two if required.
Innovative features include a class-first retractable 'terrace by the sea' in the stern, built-in sun deck and double-console cockpit. Electronically-dimming 'smart' glass is used for the windows and roof of the cabin, the smoothly arching design of which clearly links ARROW460-Granturismo with the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. Just as in a luxury car, the side windows open at the press of a button, as does the large 'windscreen': the glass rises up to create a 'pergola' effect that opens the dining and lounge area to sea breezes while retaining UV protection.
A smooth, seamless decking finish is achieved throughout the yacht thanks to an innovative new composite material that frees the designers to create an entirely new aesthetic for this size of yacht, one that will be echoed for its modern-luxury approach in the equally innovative interior.
Just as with a car, a system of prototyping was adopted during development to ensure ergonomic excellence and exceptional detail quality. The state-of-the-art hull design has been shaped as much for comfort and ease of handling as speed by hydrodynamicists from the renowned naval architects Van Oossanen.
Powered by two refined and efficient Yanmar diesel engines of 353 kW (480 hp) each, ARROW460-Granturismo is designed to achieve a top speed of 40 knots in light load conditions, with a cruising speed of 26 knots (figures to be confirmed).
The yacht is equipped with an array of the latest technology, including, as standard, the Twin Disc Express Joystick System for unparalleled ease of handling. The system can be likened to the 'ABS braking of the seas' for its car-like ability to perform emergency manoeuvres. Even in inexperienced hands, ARROW460-Granturismo is designed and equipped to be exceptionally intuitive and safe to handle.
A smooth ride, maximum stability, low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), ergonomically-sited controls and a clear view from the twin-console cockpit are other familiar automotive attributes prioritised by the design teams.
Silver Arrows Marine Chairman Ron Gibbs said: "Almost everything about ARROW460-Granturismo is unique, from its concept to the smallest bespoke detail. It is a motor yacht with a personality that truly embraces life, combining the best marine engineering with the inspired innovations and elegance that the world associates with Mercedes-Benz.
"By merging marine and automotive worlds, with their respective design language, technologies and ideas, we have created a new standard of motor yacht, unlike all others."
Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG, said: "Together with Silver Arrows Marine we have managed to develop a totally new boat concept. The 'Silver Arrow of the Seas' embodies Mercedes-Benz's progressive, dynamic design idiom of sensual purity on the water and weds it to perfect functionality. ARROW460-Granturismo is sure to cause a stir on the seas and at marinas throughout the world."
Silver Arrows Marine is named to recall the legendary Mercedes Silver Arrows racing cars which dominate motorsport. Based in Monaco, the company's first ARROW460-Granturismo has been constructed by Décision SA, a Groupe Carboman company near Lausanne in Switzerland.
Following its unveiling in the South of France, the first ARROW460-Granturismo will be starring at selected yachting events over the coming months prior to the start of production later this year.
Source: Silver Arrow Marine
©INFphoto.com
January 23 2016
The Arrow 460-Granturismo leaves the shipyard
First Silver Arrows Luxury Motor Yacht to launch with Exclusive Edition 1 – Just 10 for the World!
Silver Arrows Marine, a project with Mercedes-Benz Style to build an innovative new ‘Granturismo’ class of luxury motor yacht, is preparing for the new yacht’s arrival in 2016 with confirmation today of its exclusive launch programme.
Following the unveiling of the first Arrow 460-Granturismo, scheduled for the spring, a limited run of just 10 special Edition 1 models will be built. Each yacht will go to a different country in order to guarantee absolute exclusivity for owners, mirroring similar schemes for the most exclusive sports cars.
‘This is a unique offer and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ said Silver Arrows Marine Chairman Ron Gibbs.
‘What we are offering 10 very special people around the world is the chance to share our vision of a completely new standard of Granturismo motor yacht, and the first to bear the name Mercedes-Benz Style.’
Ron Gibbs added: ‘By ensuring that the yachts all go to different countries we can guarantee that just one individual in each country will be able to say: “I am the first captain of the first Silver Arrow of the seas”. We are already in discussions with potential owners and reservations are now being taken on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Each Edition 1 owner will have something that is already a unique proposition in the world of motor yachts. The Arrow 460-Granturismo is the traditional motor yacht totally re-imagined in order to deliver the ultimate lifestyle experience for this class of yacht, with all the elegance and technical sophistication that the Mercedes-Benz name stands for.
Source: Silver Arrow Marine
December 10 2015
Décision in the race for the America's Cup
Groupama Team France choose Groupe Carboman to manufacture the French Challenger for the 35th America's Cup.
It was with great pride that, on the 4th of December at the Groupama Team France stand at the Paris Boat Show, Dominique Dubois, CEO of the Carboman Group, signed the contract to build two catamarans for the French Challenger for the 35th America's Cup, which will take place in Bermuda in 2017.
The production of the AC45 Turbo and the AC50 will be shared between two of the group's entities: Décision in Switzerland and Multiplast in France.
For Bertrand Cardis, Décision General Manager, this offers clear benefits:
"Dividing the work between Multiplast, which will be in charge of the hulls and wing elements, and Décision, which will build the beams and the pod, will allow us to optimise the planning and to ensure that the finished articles are of the very highest quality.
Source: Groupama Team France
July 3 2015
Record-breaking solar flight reaches Hawaii after 5 nights and days airborne without fuel.
The longest and most difficult leg of the Round the World Solar Flight attempted since last March by Swiss explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg ended successfully in Hawaii. At the controls of Solar Impulse 2, pilot André Borschberg landed safely in Hawaii after flying 117 hours and 52 minutes over the Pacific Ocean from Japan powered only by the sun.
A historic landing took place in Hawaii after a perilous nonstop flight for 5 days and 5 nights. With the sun rising this morning at 5:55 am local time Hawaii (15:55 GMT), Solar Impulse 2 touched down at the Kalaeloa Airport after traveling a distance of roughly 4480 miles (7'200 km). Pilot André Borschberg, also co-founder of Solar Impulse with Bertrand Piccard, broke the world records of distance and duration for solar aviation, as well as the world record for the longest solo flight ever, (117: 52 hours and around 7'200 km. These world records will be ratified upon landing by the International Aeronautical Federation.
André endured many challenges requiring him to carefully maintain a balance between wearing an oxygen mask for long stretches of time during high altitude, getting enough rest and maximizing the energy levels of the plane, particularly during turbulent weather conditions. Successfully accomplishing this 8th leg by remaining airborne for 5 consecutive days and nights has now proven that the airplane's critical components perform exceptionally and that Solar Impulse's vision of reaching unlimited endurance without fuel, using solely the power of the sun, was not only a dream: perpetual flight is a reality.
Source: Solar Impulse
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