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OLYMPIC LIFTING TECHNIQUE BLOCKS
A Baccalaureate thesis submitted to the School of Dynamic Systems
College of Engineering and Applied Science University of Cincinnati
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Science
in Mechanical Engineering Technology
by
Tyler Higgins
April 2014
Thesis Advisor: Professor Ahmed Elgafy
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ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank CrossFit Gambit for the guidance and motivation behind the
concept, Dave Conrad for helping me machine the parts, Dr.Ahmed Elgafy for his guidance
throughout the process and Chris Brummet for the material source.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OLYMPIC LIFTING TECHNIQUE BLOCKS ....................................................................... 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................... II
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... II
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ III
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. III
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ III
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1
BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 CURRENT MARKET DESIGNS ............................................................................................................................... 2
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK, FEATURES, AND OBJECTIVES ............................................. 4
SURVEY ANALYSIS .............................................................................................................................................. 4 PRODUCT FEATURES AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 5
CONCEPT GENERATION AND SELECTION ..................................................................... 6
RIG GENERATION AND SELECTION ..................................................................................................................... 6 BLOCK GENERATION AND SELECTION ................................................................................................................ 7
CALCULATIONS .................................................................................................................... 8
STRESS ANALYSIS .............................................................................................................................................. 8 COLUMN BUCKLING ........................................................................................................................................... 8 CROSS-MEMBER BENDING ................................................................................................................................. 9 PIN SHEAR .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 PLATFORM BENDING ........................................................................................................................................ 10 BLOCK BENDING .............................................................................................................................................. 11
ASSEMBLY DESIGN DETAILS .......................................................................................... 12
ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................... 12
TESTING ................................................................................................................................ 14
TESTING PROCEDURE ....................................................................................................................................... 14
SCHEDULE AND BUDGET ................................................................................................. 15
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 17
APPENDIX A - RESEARCH ................................................................................................. 18
APPENDIX B – SURVEY ..................................................................................................... 22
APPENDIX C – QFD ............................................................................................................. 23
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APPENDIX D – OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................. 24
APPENDIX E – SCHEDULE ................................................................................................ 25
APPENDIX F – BUDGET ..................................................................................................... 26
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 - Catalyst DIY Technique Blocks............................................................................... 2
Figure 2 – Rogue Fitness Jerk Blocks....................................................................................... 2
Figure 3 – Monster Blocks ........................................................................................................ 3
Figure 4 – Rig Design ............................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5 - Original Platform Design ......................................................................................... 7
Figure 6 - Redesigned Block ..................................................................................................... 7
Figure 7 - Column Buckling ..................................................................................................... 8
Figure 8 - Column Buckling Hole View ................................................................................... 9
Figure 9 - Cross-Member Bending ........................................................................................... 9
Figure 10 - Pin Shear .............................................................................................................. 10
Figure 11 - Platform Bending ................................................................................................. 10
Figure 12 - Platform Column Bending ................................................................................... 11
Figure 13 - Parts ...................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 14 - Full Assembly ...................................................................................................... 13
LIST OF TABLES Table 1- Schedule ................................................................................................................... 15
Table 2 - Budget...................................................................................................................... 16
ABSTRACT
The report that follows documents the methods and procedures that occurred in the
process of developing and constructing the Olympic Lifting Jerk Blocks. The purpose of the
project is to provide a product that relieves the issues with current products. By combining
the multi-use of a CrossFit rig and the single purpose use of Olympic lifting blocks, an all-
inclusive, easy to operate product will result. This was done by taking a customer survey
from a field of athletes to gauge what was most important to them. Industry standards were
reviewed and taken into consideration and the intended audience was CrossFit enthusiasts
and Olympic weight lifters. The project resulted in a robust and functional product that was
received well by the audience. With a majority of the time spent on machining the product, it
is recommended to outsource this step of the project. Overall the project performed its intent
successfully by creating an effective piece of training equipment.
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INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
Since its official introduction in 2007, CrossFit has become the official sport of fitness.
By incorporating several aspects of fitness into one lumped sum, the ability to excel in the
sport derives from countless hours of practice and movement repetition. This is most
represented in the Olympic lifting portion of CrossFit.
Olympic lifting in itself requires years to perfect. This can be seen in the athletes that
undergo the grueling sport during the Olympics. One of the best ways to perfect the complex
movements of the snatch and the clean and jerk is to break them down into smaller
movements (1). Athletes and coaches achieve this by using platforms that support the weight
from various heights so that they may focus on one section of the full movement at once.
Building something that is intended to support the dropping of weight that can near over
500lbs from overhead naturally causes the structure to be heavy. The main issue with current
designs is their mass. (2). Most current models are difficult to move and change heights (3).
This is an important issue because it is inefficient for an athlete to expend energy setting up
to train when the energy should be spent on the training itself.
The focus of this design project is to re-design the components and height modification
method in order to reduce the weight and enable the athlete to use more time and energy on
training rather than setting up for training.
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CURRENT MARKET DESIGNS
Although the market for technique blocks is very small, the demand for them is
relatively high. CrossFit boxes and Olympic lifting gyms desire this equipment for their
athletes to train on. The most common way that the product is acquired is by building it
themselves. As seen in Figure 1 (1), the design for the “do it yourself” is relatively simple
and cheap (4). The downside to this process is it is very time consuming and requires several
tools to construct that, if the builder does not already have, can add a significant amount of
cost to the job. In addition to cost, the amount of time spent building the blocks is lost
training or coaching time which leads to another additional project cost.
Figure 1 - Catalyst DIY Technique Blocks
Numerous designs and instructions are posted on the web. Figure 1 (1) is the most
common design shown. Some companies have taken the manual labor out of these designs by
producing their own versions. Rogue Fitness is the leading producer of CrossFit equipment
and has recently added jerk blocks to their extensive list of products (5). Although they have
very similar construction to the DIY blocks, they are almost three times expensive. The most
important advantage of the Rogue product is that is guaranteed for life. The upfront cost is
significantly higher than the DIY build buy pays of if upkeep is needed in regards to repairs.
Figure 2 – Rogue Fitness Jerk Blocks
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Only one other company offers jerk blocks in their product line. Monster blocks are
very similar to the two previous designs but implement a dovetail construction method. This
reduces weight but not cost. At $1223 for the complete set, they are the most expensive
available option. The interlocking design is secure and innovative but its functionality is in
question. Figure 3 (3) shows the Monster Blocks fully assembled. One benefit of this product
is its customizing option (6). They offer an option of branding the equipment with any
uploaded image.
Figure 3 – Monster Blocks
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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK, FEATURES, AND OBJECTIVES
SURVEY ANALYSIS
Twenty customer surveys were returned and analyzed to determine the customer needs.
The surveys were completed by CrossFit athletes and coaches that have experience using jerk
blocks. Several have had experience with the current market products and offered additional
information in terms of what they would like to see in the product. The survey included a
wide range of product features that related to the weight, cost, maintenance and performance
of the product. The top half of the survey questioned the importance of these features using a
scale of 1-5 with 5 being the most important. The bottom half of the survey questioned the
customers’ satisfaction with their current product using the same scale regarding the same
features.
Cust
om
er
import
ance
D
esig
ner
's
Mult
ipli
er
Curr
ent
Sat
isfa
ctio
n
Pla
nned
Sat
isfa
ctio
n
Impro
vem
ent
rati
o
Modif
ied
Import
ance
Rel
ativ
e w
eight
Rel
ativ
e w
eight
%
Lightweight 4.2 1 2.4 5 2.1 8.8 0.15 15%
Low Cost 4.6 1 4.1 3.5 0.9 3.9 0.07 7%
Stability 4.5 1 2.5 5 2.0 9.0 0.15 15%
Low Maintenance 4.6 1 4.1 4 1.0 4.5 0.07 7%
Easy to Clean 3.8 1 3.2 4 1.3 4.8 0.08 8%
Easy to operate 4.1 1 2.1 5 2.4 9.8 0.16 16%
Reliable 4.7 1 1.2 5 4.2 19.6 0.32 32%
Abs. importance 60.3 1.0 1.0
When determining the designer’s multiplier the value of one was chosen. The results that
came from the survey accurately reflected the customer’s importance and a multiplier was
not needed for any category. The main focus of the project will be to make it lightweight.
This intent is reflected by selecting a planned satisfaction number of 5. Stability, easy to
operate, and reliable also received a planned satisfaction number of 5 as those will be the
designs main focuses throughout the process. Cost, low maintenance, and easy to clean
received lower numbers in regards to planned satisfaction because they are less important to
the customer or will be directly affected due to putting stability and lightweight as a priority.
The planned satisfaction numbers directly reflect my expectations as a designer in regards to
customer feedback.
Tyler Higgins Olympic Lifting
Technique Blocks 5 = Strong 3 = Moderate 1 = Weak
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PRODUCT FEATURES AND OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
The following information is a description of the key features for Olympic Lifting Technique
Blocks as provided by various customers through surveys. The information is organized by providing
a list of customer features. Generic features have sub features that can altered during the design phase
and proven during the testing phase. Numerical targets of improvements are provided.
Reliable 29%
Height range
Durable contact surfaces
Non slip contact surfaces
Minimal upkeep
Operates every time
No prep work
Stability 17%
Level surface
Height change synchronization
Foot attachments
Lightweight 16%
Material selection
Number of parts
Easy to operate 14%
Weight of individual boxes
Handle grooves
Latches to join sections
Easy pin assembly/disassembly
Easy to clean 9%
Cleaning supplies included
Basket for holding cleaning supplies
Contact area with floor
Low maintenance 8%
Material selection
Working surface composition
Moving parts composition
Number of automated parts
Number of moving parts
Low cost 7%
Material selection
Movement method
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CONCEPT GENERATION AND SELECTION
The concept generation and selection was broken down into two separate stages,
reflecting the two major component of the project. The first being the rig and the second
being the blocks. From these concept generations and specifications, a product selection was
developed.
RIG GENERATION AND SELECTION CrossFit rigs are versatile pieces of equipment and are often regarded as adult jungle
gyms. With an ever expanding market for these equipment items, the most common sizes
were researched. Columns of 2”x3” square tubing, 1.25” rod, and 5/8” holes were researched
as an industry standard. These standards were utilizes with the intent of cross collaboration
with products already purchased and on the market. Many accessories to these rigs are
outfitted using these specifications so these were the needed generalizations to begin
selection.
Several items were taken into consideration when selecting the final design of the rig.
Height was decided based on the movement allowance and space occupancy of current jerk
blocks. Length and width were designed around the length of the loading portion of the
barbell and two separate units would be used to allow mobility. These two units could be
joined by a cross-member if desired. The structure was chosen to allow for maximum
customization by the customer.
Figure 4 – Rig Design
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BLOCK GENERATION AND SELECTION Olympic lifting blocks are widely used in the sport of Olympic lifting. The most
common construction for these items was wood. The reason for this is wood has the ability to
absorb and distribute the force acted on it better than rigid steel does. The blocks that are
made of steel tend to me complicated to adjust but serve as a very stable and reliable
structure. With these items in mind, the concept for the blocks construction would be made
of steel.
Once steel was decided to be the main component of the block, the selection for the
design began. By making the block out of the same material that was used for the columns,
cost could be reduced and the overall look and feel of the structure would be more uniform.
Initially the top was going to be made of wood adhered to four separate sleeves that would
slide over the columns but this did not allow for easy removal and was not as strong as it
needed to be. The next design incorporated a 2-beam structure that was joined by cross
members and could be topped by with any surface material.
Figure 5 - Original Platform Design
Figure 6 - Redesigned Block
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CALCULATIONS
STRESS ANALYSIS Due to the nature of the project, all calculations were stress based. All calculations were
done using SolidWorks analysis program. The material for each part was selected and a load
of 400 pounds was used to calculate the stress of each component. In instances where the
load would be dispersed it was assumed that it would be done so evenly. A factor of safety of
12 was used due to the repeated impact load being applied to the parts.
COLUMN BUCKLING Each rig was designed using four 2”x3”x9’ square columns. Attached at the base was a
steel plate that increased the contact surface area to allow for a more stable design. Each
column would be loaded with 100lbs assuming the force was equally displaced and had a
yield strength of 68,167psi and a buckling stress of 8,000psi
Figure 7 - Column Buckling
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Figure 8 - Column Buckling Hole View
CROSS-MEMBER BENDING Each rig is comprised of two 4’ cross-members and two double 2’ cross-members. The
longer cross members would prove to be the weaker of the two. Tested with a load of 250
lbs, these cross-members had a yield strength of 68,000psi and a bending stress of 24.000 psi.
Figure 9 - Cross-Member Bending
PIN SHEAR The block platform is secured to the rig by four zinc-coated handle pins. These pins are
exposed to shear stress and a repeated load. They were tested at a total load of 400lbs which
would equate to an individual load of 50lbs per pin. The yield strength for the pins was
68,000psi and the shear stress put in place was 2,600 psi per pin. The model shows the stress
values for the comprehensive load of 400lbs.
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Figure 10 - Pin Shear
PLATFORM BENDING The platform itself is interchangeable with any material that the athlete sees fit.
Typically a rubber matting or wood will be used for the contact surface. For this analysis,
steel plate was used in uniform with the rest of the rig. With a yield strength of 68,000 psi
and a bending stress of 2,257 psi per platform.
Figure 11 - Platform Bending
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BLOCK BENDING The blocks were secured to rig by pins and would experience a bending stress of 50lbs at
each corner. With an overall load of 400lbs being dispersed to eight corners, the block
columns had a yield strength of 68,000 and a bending stress of 7,824 psi per block. The
model demonstrates an impact load of 400lbs per column.
Figure 12 - Platform Column Bending
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ASSEMBLY DESIGN DETAILS
ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE Assembly of the rig is intended to be very easy. All hardware is 5/8” which is an
industry standard. Customers purchasing the rig will only need a 15/16” socket, 15/16”
wrench, 9/16” driver and a 3/8” concrete drill. Once the rig is assembled using the hardware,
it will be placed where it will remain. Then the concrete holes will be drilled and the concrete
anchors will be used to keep the feet in place. The platforms can then be added and moved to
various heights using the pull pins. The platforms can also be completely removed and the rig
can be used without their obstruction.
Figure 13 - Parts
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Figure 14 - Full Assembly
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TESTING
TESTING PROCEDURE Upon assembly completion, the rig was tested by various athletes in all aspects of the
rigs capabilities. The ease of use was discussed with the athletes who used it a rated in
comparison to other products. The versatility of the rig was also rated and compared. The
nature of the use of the rig opens it up to ongoing testing. Simply using the product is a
means of testing and improvements will be documented as they arise.
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SCHEDULE AND BUDGET
The project begins October 14th
, 2013 with the proof of design agreement with Professor
Elgafy. The project continues until April 14th
, 2014 where it will be presented at the expo.
The brief timeline below shows general steps and dates.
Table 1- Schedule
Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
FabricationAssembly
Bill of MaterialsShop DrawingOrder PartsReport Due to Adv isorOral ReportFabrication
3D Models-Animation
Design CalculationsDesign Freeze
Report Due3D Models
-Sections-Motion Systems
Schedule 2013-2014
Proof of DesignConcepts
TestingModificationAssemblyFinal TestingAdv isor Demo
ExpoOral ReportProject Report
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Budget Summary for Olympic Lifting Technique Blocks
Materials / Components / Labor Projected Cost Actual Cost
Steel Rod 300 885.06
Aluminum Sheets 50 -
Lumber 100 -
Hardware 50 119.75
Rubber Feet 25 -
Miscellaneous 40 -
Subtotal 565 1004.81
Table 2 - Budget
.
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REFERENCES
1. Essig, Andrew. CrossFit Gambit: Owner/Trainer/Athlete. St.Louis, July 21, 2013.
2. Jackson, Kelley. Crossfit Gambit: Trainer/Athlete. St.Louis, August 12, 2013.
3. Laux, Carl. University of Cincinnati Thrower. Cincinnati, September 1, 2013.
4. Catalyst Athletics. Catalyst Athletics. Catalyst Athletics. [Online] Catalys Athletics.
[Cited: September 4, 2013.]
http://www.catalystathletics.com/articles/article.php?articleID=52.
5. Rogue Fitness. Rogue Wood Jerk Blocks. Rogue Fitness. [Online] Rogue Fitness. [Cited:
September 2, 2013.] http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-wood-jerk-
blocks.php?gclid=COnLiZD0sLkCFcU7MgodQCoAUQ.
6. Monster Blocks. MonsterBlocks. Breathe Later Fitness. [Online] Monster Products.
[Cited: September 2, 2013.] http://www.breathelaterfitness.com/product/monsterblocks/.
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APPENDIX A - RESEARCH
Interview with CrossFit Gym Owner, Andrew Essig of CrossFit Gambit. 711
Soulard St. St.Louis, MO 63104 07/21/13
Has owned the gym for 3 years and was a personal trainer before opening the
gym. Has taken the Attitude Nation lifting seminar with Jon and Jessica North.
Has built jerk blocks that are currently in his gym but are not being used due to
malfunctions. Biggest issue is warping and disassembly when the weights are
dropped.
Would like to see another material used other than wood, something sturdier.
Another issue is mobility. Recent blocks have been bulky and require two
people to alter the height and location of the blocks.
Price would increase based on material improvements but gyms wouldn’t mind
paying higher cost for great product.
Says he could see this being used in CrossFit gyms and Olympic lifting gyms
depending on how well it’s made and marketed.
Important features to include: mobility, weight, ease of use, possible
automation, material, ease of maintenance, simplicity, durability.
Thinks no one has put this effort towards blocks due to pricing and
manufacturing difficulty but would be interested to see what I come up with.
Interview with CrossFit Athlete, Kelley Jackson: 2641 Wyoming St. St. Louis,
MO 63118 08/12/13
She has competed in CrossFit for three years and has placed top 6 in her region
all three years.
Technique blocks have helped her progress in her sport and loves using them
during training. During trainer time is a huge issue and moving the blocks to
different heights is very time consuming and an inefficient use of energy.
Would like to see blocks that are fast to adjust and easy to move.
Important features to include: minimal pieces, fast moving, light, user friendly
if automated
Really focused on being able to move the blocks by herself fast.
Interview with University of Cincinnati Thrower, Carl Laux,: 319 Probasco St.
Cincinnati, OH 45220 09/01/13
Carl uses Oly training equipment in the off season and throughout the season
to train. He and his fellow athletes find the lifts to improve their performance
in the sport. Although they don’t necessarily need the blocks to improve their
lifts (because they are not testing the actual lift) he would find the blocks
useful as racks for lifting.
Durability and fast height changes would be key components as different
height athletes would be using the equipment.
Important features to include: stability of the blocks when weights is dropped,
height variability to accommodate different athletes and total unit mobility to
move the whole thing.
Overall, a sturdy mobile unit is preferred. For his use, multiple increments are
not needed.
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Rogue Wood Jerk Blocks
The Rogue Jerk Blocks are one of the few jerk blocks that are
manufactured for sale to the public. They are very similar to the
online DIY plans you can find online. They are (36”) in length and
(20”) in width. Heights vary and the top decks have stoppers.
Crafted in Columbus,
OH
Lifetime warranty
Functional variable
heights
Can be made by
anybody
Expensive
$1111.35 USD (all add-
ons)
http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-wood-jerk-
blocks.php?gclid=COnLiZD0sLkCFcU7MgodQCo
AUQ 09/02/13
Rogue Wood Jerk Blocks
Fully CNC machined, Rogue’s Ohio-built Wood Jerk Blocks deliver a level of craftsmanship
and stability simply not achievable with traditional DIY jerk boxes. Available in four different sizes—15”, 12”, 6”, and 2.25”— each Rogue Jerk Block features 1.5” double-wall
construction and interior bracing, along with strategically aligned insets for ultra secure
stacking.
Stackable jerk boxes, or jerk blocks, are most often utilized in weight training as a way for
athletes to focus on improving their jerk without having to clean the weight to the rack position on each rep. With their combined durability and ease of use, however, Rogue’s
various Jerk Block sets provide a wealth of other potential uses: block pulls, clean/snatch
from blocks, partial deadlifts, floor presses, step ups, box jumps.
Rogue Wood Jerk Block Individual Size Specifications:
15" Block - 70 lbs - 36"L x 20"W x 15"H
12" Block – 61 lbs - 36"L x 20"W x 12"H
6" Block - 38 lbs - 36"L x 20"W x 6"H
2.25" Block - 25 lbs - 36"L x 20"W x 2.25"H *This size can be used as the top block of a stack only.
Other Specifications:
Made in Columbus, OH, USA
CNC machine cut for perfect fit
Hand slots included on 15”, 12”, and 6” for easy moving/carrying
Blocks ship fully assembled
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MonsterBlocks
MonsterBlocks don’t have many reviews and seem difficult to
assemble. Their initial price is 975 but if you want a full set it is
1223.
Product Description
MonsterBlocks ”The Worlds Only Interlocking Olympics Lifting Blocks”
They are designed to be used for snatch work, shoulder press, push push and
push jerk.
They can also be used as spotting block set to your height for any lift.
Full Set Includes:
2 4-Layer lids (Approx. 57 lbs each)
2 5-Inch Blocks (Approx. 15 lbs each)
6 10-Inch Blocks (Approx. 30 lbs each)
Additional pairs of 5 inch or 10 inch Block sections can be added at
checkout if needed
The MonsterBlocks can be set to any height from
Stackable in 5 inch increments between 7.5 – 37.5 with lids
Additional Blocks available for very tall athletes in 5 or 10 inch
sections
Customizable to your facility with logos applied to all short ends of
the 10 inch blocks
Built with 1.5 inch full cut screws in blocks and premium grade
hardware for lids
Stacks in one tall column for easy storage and space saving
Cut in handles for easy section adjustment and moving of blocks
Dovetail assembly
Lifetime warranty
Customizable with logo
Less attractive
Confusing assembly
concept $1223 USD (all add-
ons)
http://www.breathelaterf
itness.com/product/mon
sterblocks/ 09/02/13
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DIY – Catalyst
Seemingly the last option is DIY. Only two companies offer jerk
boxes and several forums offer DIY instructions. Below is one.
Jerk blocks are a somewhat mythical piece of equipment—their numbers are extremely small and there appears to be a constant search for plans to build them. After two years of Aimee busting my chops to build her some, with the new gym and the corresponding space, I found myself with no further excuses to put it off. The design I ended up with is not really anything new—build multiple blocks that stack on top of each other to allow adjustment of the final height to accommodate different athletes. This is the same basic design used by Les Simonton, which is where I got the idea. These blocks are on the small side—they’ll easily fit on a standard 8x8’ platform with 2’ wide rubber on each side—but they’re big enough in our experience. This size makes them a bit more manageable in terms of relocating them to free up the platform on which they normally reside and for changing the height. If you want larger blocks, just adjust the measurements below. The nice thing about this type of block setup is that they can be used as pulling blocks as well - as low as about 14". The total cost on the blocks was somewhere around $300, not including the gas for multiple trips to Lowes to compensate for my lack of planning, plus several years off my life. What You’ll Need
Basically: An obscene amount of wood, screws and bolts Specifically: - (7) 2x10x12 - (4) 2x8x12 - (4) 2x6x12 - (4) 4x4x12 - (2) 2x4x8 - (2) ¾ x 8 x 10 pine - (4) ¾ x 1 ½ x 8 pine - (1) 4x6 ¾” rubber horse stall mat (or scraps = (2) 2x4 sections) - (4) sturdy metal gate handles - ~280 3” drywall screws - ~160 1.25” drywall screws - ~160 3.5” x 5/16” lag screws
DIY
Requires tools/labor
Cheaper than purchasing
Customizable
No warranty
Difficult to construct
well
Warping occurs often
Heavy
$300 USD
http://www.catalysta
thletics.com/articles/
article.php?articleID
=52 09/04/13
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APPENDIX B – SURVEY
OLYMPIC LIFTING TECHNIQUE BLOCKS
CUSTOMER SURVEY with Results
The purpose of this survey is to identify the key qualities necessary in building the best
Olympic lifting technique blocks. Results from this survey will have direct impact on the
design of the blocks.
How important is each feature to you for the design of Olympic lifting technique
blocks?
Please circle the appropriate answer. 1 = low importance 5 = high importance Avg
Lightweight 1 2 3(2) 4(12) 5(6) N/A 4.2
Stable under heavy loads 1 2 3(1) 4(5) 5(14) N/A 4.6
Low maintenance 1 2 3 4(10) 5(10) N/A 4.5
Easy to clean 1 2 3(2) 4(5) 5(13) N/A 4.6
Easy to operate 1 2 3(8) 4(8) 5(4) N/A 3.8
Low cost 1 2(1) 3(5) 4(5) 5(9) N/A 4.1
Reliable 1 2 3(2) 4(2) 5(16) N/A 4.7
How satisfied are you with the current Olympic lifting technique blocks?
Please circle the appropriate answer. 1 = very UNsatisfied 5 = very satisfied Avg
Lightweight 1(5) 2(3) 3(12) 4 5 N/A 2.4
Stable under heavy loads 1 2 3(3) 4(13) 5(4) N/A 4.1
Low maintenance 1(1) 2(9) 3(10) 4 5 N/A 2.5
Easy to clean 1 2 3(8) 4(3) 5(9) N/A 4.1
Easy to operate 1 2 3(18) 4(1) 5(1) N/A 3.2
Low cost 1 2(17) 3(2) 4(1) 5 N/A 2.1
Reliable 1(15) 2(5) 3 4 5 N/A 1.2
How much would you be willing to spend on this piece of equipment?
$50-$100(8) $100-$200(8) $200-$500(4) $500-$1000 $1000-$2000
Thank you for your time.
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APPENDIX C – QFD
Material selction
Number of parts
Movement method
Level surface
Height change synchronication
Foot attachments
Working surface composition
Moving parts composition
Number of automated parts
Number of moving parts
Cleaning supplies included
Basket for holding cleaning supplies
Contact area with floor
Weight of individual boxes
Latches to join section
Durable contact surfaces
Non slip contact surfaces
Quick pin assem/disasemm
Height range for all athlete sizes
Handle grooves
Customer importance
Current Satisfaction
Planned Satisfaction
Improvement ratio
Modified Importance
Relative weight
Relative weight %
Lig
htw
eig
ht
94
21
22
74
4.2
2.4
52.1
8.8
0.1
616%
Low
Cost
92
45
83
11
62
32
4.6
4.1
3.5
0.9
3.9
0.0
77%
Sta
bili
ty3
29
11
11
4.5
2.5
52.0
9.0
0.1
717%
Low
Main
tenance
44
54.6
4.1
41.0
4.5
0.0
88%
Easy t
o C
lean
53
32
66
54
3.8
3.2
41.3
4.8
0.0
99%
Easy t
o o
pera
te5
43
45
45
94.1
2.1
41.9
7.8
0.1
414%
Relia
ble
12
12
35
4.7
1.2
43.3
15.7
0.2
929%
Abs.
import
ance
3.6
51.0
51.6
62.6
40.7
20.5
90.1
70.6
90.9
00.7
30.7
40.6
00.6
01.7
00.7
91.1
71.0
91.6
52.3
71.4
425.0
54.4
1.0
1.0
Rel. im
port
ance
0.1
50.0
40.0
70.1
10.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
30.0
40.0
30.0
30.0
20.0
20.0
70.0
30.0
50.0
40.0
70.1
00.0
61.0
Tyle
rHig
gin
sO
lym
pic
Lift
ing
Tech
niq
ue
Blo
cks
9=
Stro
ng
3 =
Mo
de
rate
1 =
We
ak
Page 27
24
APPENDIX D – OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
The following information is a description of the key features for Olympic Lifting Technique
Blocks as provided by various customers through surveys. The information is organized by providing
a list of customer features. Generic features have sub features that can altered during the design phase
and proven during the testing phase. Numerical targets of improvements are provided.
Reliable 29%
Height range
Durable contact surfaces
Non slip contact surfaces
Minimal upkeep
Operates every time
No prep work
Stability 17%
Level surface
Height change synchronization
Foot attachments
Lightweight 16%
Material selection
Number of parts
Easy to operate 14%
Weight of individual boxes
Handle grooves
Latches to join sections
Easy pin assembly/disassembly
Easy to clean 9%
Cleaning supplies included
Basket for holding cleaning supplies
Contact area with floor
Low maintenance 8%
Material selection
Working surface composition
Moving parts composition
Number of automated parts
Number of moving parts
Low cost 7%
Material selection
Movement method
Page 28
25
APPENDIX E – SCHEDULE
Tyler Higgins
Olympic Lifting Technique Blocks
Tasks
Oct
14
-20
Oct
21
-27
Oct
28
- N
ov
3
No
v 4
- 1
0
No
v 1
1 -
17
No
v 1
8 -
24
No
v 2
5 -
Dec
1
Dec
2 -
8
Dec
9 -
15
Dec
16
-2
2
Dec
23
- 2
9
Dec
30
- J
an 5
Jan
6 -
12
Jan
13
-1
9
Jan
20
- 2
6
Jan
27
- F
eb 2
Feb
3 -
9
Feb
10
- 1
6
Feb
17
- 2
3
Feb
24
- M
ar 2
Mar
3 -
9
Mar
10
-1
6
Mar
17
-2
3
Mar
24
- 3
0
Mar
31
- A
pr
6
Ap
r 7
- 1
3
Ap
r 1
4 -
20
Ap
r 2
1 -
27
Proof of Design Agree (advisor) 22
22
Concepts/Selection (advisor) 22
22
Report Due 2
3
3D Model - (Sections) 5
8
3D Model - (Motion System) 19
22
3D Model - (Animation) 3
5
Design Calculations 10
20
Design Freeze 15
15
Bill of Materials 11
1
Shop Drawing 11
1
Order Parts 11
1
Report Due to Advisor 18
Oral Report 18
Fabrication 28
16
Assembly 11
16
Testing 1
16
Modification 15
20
Final Testing 22
20
Advisor Demonstration 25
25
Expo 44
Oral Report 77
Project Report 14
17
Page 29
26
APPENDIX F – BUDGET
Budget Summary for Olympic Lifting Technique Blocks
Materials / Components / Labor Projected Cost Actual Cost
Steel Rod 300 885.06
Aluminum Sheets 50 N/A
Lumber 100 N/A
Hardware 50 119.75
Rubber Feet 25 N/A
Miscellaneous 40 N/A
Subtotal 565 1004.81