D60是国际手球联合会（IHF）的官方比赛用球，旨在进一步将手球这项运动发扬光大。

An official game ball for the International Handball Federation (IHF) designed for further development of the sport.

▼d60手球外观，d60 handball © Akihiro Yoshida

为了满足手球运动中多种多样的旋转式传球和射门，手球通常会以高粘性的“树脂”材料制作，以确保运动员对球的牢固抓握。然而，这种树脂的缺点在于，它会对体育馆的地板造成污染，有时还会导致球员受伤。为了避免这一问题，IHF要求开发一款不使用树脂且易于抓握的球。

To perform the various types of spinning passes and shoots in handball, high adhesive “resin” is often used to ensure a firm grip of the ball. However, this resin stains the gymnasium floor and causes injuries at times, which requires countermeasures. To resolve these issues and further increase the number of players, the development of “a ball with a good grip without using resin” started based on the request from IHF.

▼一款不使用树脂且易于抓握的球，“A ball with a good grip without using resin” © Akihiro Yoshida

▼表面细节，Detailed view © Akihiro Yoshida

设计者对一些能够提高吸附力的表面纹理（如轮胎纹和壁虎脚）进行了研究，并从常见于机器开关和机械把手的“菱形压花纹”中汲取灵感，最终开发出一种由60个三角形单元组成的面板结构。面板衔接处凸起的部分要比面板中心的位置硬度更高，有助于更轻松地抓住不平整的表面。

▼设计手稿，Sketch © nendo

After the research on surface textures that enhance adsorption power such as “tread patterns on tires” and “gecko feet,” a panel structure consisting of 60 triangles was adopted, inspired by “diamond knurling,” typically used on switches of machines and grips of mechanic tools. The swelling parts of joints between panels are designed to be harder than the center of the panel, realizing an easy grip with the uneven surface.

▼由60个三角形单元组成的面板结构，A panel structure consisting of 60 triangles © Akihiro Yoshida

▼表面细节，Detailed view © Akihiro Yoshida

不同于已有的五边形和六边形面板，这种全新的三角形面板使握球的力度变得更加平衡。此外，手工缝制的传统面板被改为组装的粘附面板，使制造过程变得更加稳定和精确。

The new design offers a balanced grip by unifying the panel shape in triangles, in contrast to the existing pattern consisting of pentagons and hexagons. In addition, the panel joints, which were conventionally hand-sewn, changed to an assembly of adhered panels, consequently allowing for the stable manufacturing with higher accuracy.

▼三角形面板和六边形面板对比，hexagon pattern V.S triangle pattern © Akihiro Yoshida

▼细节对比，Detailed comparison © Akihiro Yoshida

被纳入考虑的表面材料包括各种类型的橡胶、树脂和凝胶，最终采用了一种特殊的人工合成树脂，其多孔的表皮可以吸收手掌上的汗水。同时，由于较小的粘性和独特的温润触感，球的表面可以一直保持清洁的状态。

Numerous surface materials were considered including different types of rubber, resins, and gels, before a synthetic resin with adhesive characteristics was finally adopted, for it absorbs sweat on the palms from its porous surface. The surface is maintained clean, since it has less stickiness, with a unique moist texture.

▼特殊的合成树脂表面，Synthetic resin surface © Akihiro Yoshida

凭借深思熟虑的开发过程，该设计的目标是让手球成为一项对包括儿童在内的所有人都更加安全、公平和开放的运动。

With the development of this new ball born from careful consideration, it is our aim that handball will become a safer, fair, and more open sport to everyone including children.

▼其他6种配色，The other 6 versions © Akihiro Yoshida

Client: Molten
Collaborator: Naoko NishizumiYukiko Tomotsune
Photographer: Akihiro Yoshida