KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLE
W8 Technology

The PRO-SWING 45 harness has been
designed for ultimate convenienceand functionality and incorporates
Minelab's innovative weight (W8)
distribution system.
W8 technology evenly distributes thedetector’s weight, so that even after
many hours of detecting you are unable
to feel that any specific part of yourbody is carrying the detector’s weight.
This means that you can detect formuch longer without feeling any strain.

Directionalweighttransfer

J-strut

J-strut Innovation
The patented J-strut is at the heart of
Minelab's W8 technology.
The J-strut is made up of four pieces
to allow maximum adjustability for acustomised fit. The upper and lower strut
pieces fit together in two ways to allow
left and right handed detecting. The
upper and lower screws allow the J-strut
to be customised for height and width.
The J-strut is made from nylon with a
33% mix of glass fibres for added strengthand has been tested to withstand 20 kg(44 lbs) of load.

KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLE | KBA 22-1

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W8 Technology and Biomechanics
With W8 technology
Detector’s weight is evenly distributed

W8 technology employs threebiomechanical strategies to transfer
the detector mass (weight) away fromthe operator’s arm:
1. remove flexion and extension
muscle strain,
2. use solid skeletal structure to
support loads,
3. avoid soft tissue anchor points.
These effectively remove the needfor the arm’s muscles to tense in aflexion extension position while
swinging the detector, and therefore
prevent the muscle fatigue and sorenessthat is commonly experienced withmetal detecting.
W8 technology also allows the arm tofreely medially rotate and abduct toswing the detector without the needto hold it up off the ground.

Most traditional bungy and harness
systems are only effective at removing
the load from the upper arm and forearm,leaving the shoulder to bear the weightof the detector. Other systems attempt torectify this by using a strut to transfer theweight from the shoulder to the front of
the hip in a concentrated point. However,this is a soft tissue area and incapable ofsupporting a load without discomfort.
Additionally, since this area of the body
is soft, the strut sinks into the hip andpulls down on the shoulder, thus
becomes ineffective at releasing thestrain in the shoulder.
W8 is the first technology thatsignificantly reduces the load on theshoulder without transferring it to a soft
tissue area. W8 technology achieves thisby directing the load to the back of thehip, which is a solid anchor point forthe strut. This ensures the shoulder isreleased from the majority of the strain,
the only load left is to hold the top of thestrut upright. This small remaining load
is dissipated by the wide shoulder straps
and back cushioning.
The result is a detecting harness thatallows the operator to detect in comfort
for longer, resulting in more finds andmore enjoyment.

Without W8 technology
Detector’s weight is not evenly distributed

W

Moment loadon shoulder tohold coil off theground and tomaintain arm inflexes extension

W

Moment load
to hold coil off
the ground andforearm flexes
extension

No AssistanceFull weight of detector and arm

FFW

Bungy Cord Aid

Moment load reduced

Hip-mounted Support
Strut Aid
Point load applied to soft tissue
causing discomfort

KEY W = Reaction to the mass of detector and portion of arm extended
F = Reaction force equivalent to moment load of coil/shaft forward of handle

KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLE | KBA 22-1

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