What is a moon clutch purse frame?

The moon clutch purse frame is the structural core that supports the half-moon shape and curved contour of the bag body, and realizes three core values through the combination of material characteristics and process design: first, the shape is finalized, the smoothness and symmetry of the arc contour are maintained, and the deformation due to force is avoided; second, functional bearing, integrating key components such as opening and closing systems and carrying handles to ensure stability; The third is quality support, whose accuracy directly determines the core quality indicators such as package fit and durability.

Structural Characteristics And Design Principle Of Moon-Shaped Frame

Basic Geometric Structure

The core feature of the moon clutch purse frame is its curved contour design. From a geometric point of view, this frame is usually built on an arc section, with an arc range of generally between 120° and 180°, forming a visual effect similar to the arc of a crescent moon or full moon. The radius of curvature of the moon clutch purse frame directly affects the capacity and appearance ratio of the bag, usually set between 80mm and 150mm to accommodate the design needs of clutches of different sizes and specifications.

The moon clutch purse frame structure consists of three key components: the upper frame arc, the hinge system, and the locking mechanism. The upper frame assumes the primary structural support function, and its curved design requires precise calculations to ensure even distribution of forces. Hinge systems typically feature a two- or three-axis design, with a specific angular position that maintains a specific angular relationship with the center of curvature of the arc, allowing for smooth opening and closing action. The locking mechanism is mostly designed with a press or rotary type, and its installation position is usually at or near the apex of the arc for optimal operational convenience.

Ergonomic Design Advantages

The curved design of the moon clutch purse frame naturally conforms to the natural curvature when held by the human hand. When the user holds the bag, the grip curve formed by the palm and fingers closely matches the curved contours of the frame, which significantly reduces hand fatigue when carrying it for a long time. Compared to linear frames, the curved design distributes pressure more evenly across the palm contact surface, reducing pressure peaks by about 30-40% for improved comfort.

In addition, the curvature design of the moon clutch purse frame optimizes the fit of the bag to the body. When the clutch is clamped under the armpit or carried close to the side, the curved silhouette can better adapt to the curves of the human body, reduce the gap between the bag and the body, and improve the stability and safety of carrying. This feature is especially important for users who need to move frequently in social situations.

Metal Material System

The material selection of the moon clutch purse frame directly determines the durability, weight, and cost positioning of the product. The mainstream material system includes the following categories:

Brass Alloy System

Brass (copper-zinc alloy) is the most traditional and widely used moon clutch purse frame material, with a typical composition of Cu60-70% + Zn30-40%. Brass has excellent machinability and moderate strength, and the tensile strength is generally in the range of 300-400MPa. Its golden color is naturally decorative and polished to give it a noble sheen. The main advantage of brass is its excellent stamping and bending forming properties, making it suitable for mass production of complex arc structures. However, it should be noted that brass is prone to oxidation and discoloration, and must be treated with surface protection.

Stainless Steel Systems

304 and 316 stainless steel are the materials of choice for high-end moon clutch purse frames. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and high strength characteristics, with a tensile strength of up to 520-750MPa while having a good surface finish. The stainless steel frame maintains its long-term shine without additional plating and is low maintenance. However, stainless steel has higher hardness, difficult processing, higher requirements for molds and equipment, and a corresponding increase in production costs by 15-25%.

Aluminum Alloy Systems

For products that pursue lightweight design, aluminum alloys such as the 6061 or 7075 series provide an ideal solution. Aluminum alloys are only one-third as dense as steel, which can significantly reduce the weight of the package. After anodizing, the surface of aluminum alloys can form a dense oxide film, providing good corrosion resistance and diverse color options. But the strength of aluminum alloy is relatively high

Surface Treatment Process

Surface treatment is not only related to the aesthetics of the moon clutch purse frame, but also directly affects its durability and service life. The main treatment processes include:

①Electroplating process: Nickel, chrome, or gold plating on a brass substrate, typically with a coating thickness of 5-15 microns. Nickel plating provides basic anti-sharp protection, chrome plating increases surface hardness and gloss, and gold plating gives a luxurious look

②Vacuum coating: PVD (physical vapor deposition) technology is used to form hard film layers such as TiN and TiCN on the surface of the frame, which has ultra-high hardness and excellent wear resistance, suitable for high-end products

③Powder coating: Epoxy or polyester powder is coated on the surface of the frame through electrostatic adsorption, with a coating thickness of 50-100 microns, providing excellent impact and chemical resistance

④Anodizing: Specially designed for aluminum alloy moon clutch purse frames, an alumina layer is generated on the surface through electrochemical reactions, with a thickness of 10-25 microns, and can be dyed to achieve a variety of color effects

Structural Design and Molding Process: The Critical Path from Prototype to Mass Production

The molding quality of the moon clutch purse frame directly determines the product yield, requiring a differentiated process solution tailored to the material characteristics.

(I) Key Design Points for Core Structure

• Arc Parameter Design: Determine the arc radius based on the dimensions of the bag (a typical 38-40cm length corresponds to an inner radius of 15-18cm), ensuring a symmetrical tolerance of ≤0.5cm on both sides.
• Stress Relief Structure: Metal frames feature a 0.8-1.2mm process seam (star-shaped or arc-shaped) at the arc transition zone. Non-metallic frames utilize a gradient thickness design (the top of the arc increases 20% thicker than the edges).
• Component Integration Interface: Reserve handle mounting holes (3-5mm diameter), with a hole center-to-center tolerance of ≤0.3mm to ensure assembly accuracy. Integration of the Opening and Closing System and Frame Technology

The opening and closing system is the core of the frame's functionality, and the sealing and durability of the curved edges must be addressed.

• Zipper Selection: A curved, adaptable zipper 5% longer than the bag opening is used, secured with a 3mm concealed seam to ensure a close fit between the zipper and the curved edge.
• Durability Control: Based on the QB/T 5243-2018 standard, the zipper must pass a 500-cycle pull test without binding, with a pull force of ≤10N.
• Sealing Design: The soft frame features a 1cm-wide interlining welt on the inside of the zipper, heat-bonded to provide dust and water resistance.

With its unique aesthetic value and functional advantages, the moon-shaped clutch frame shows broad application prospects in the field of handbag manufacturing. From design principles to manufacturing processes, from quality control to market applications, every link requires expertise and meticulous management from manufacturers. Successful frame manufacturing requires not only mastering the core technology of metal processing, but also understanding market demand and consumer trends, and finding the best balance between quality, cost and innovation.

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References

Zhang Minghua, Li Jianguo. "Stamping Technology of Metal Products." Machinery Industry Press, 2018.

Wang Xiaodong. "Design and Manufacturing of Hardware Accessories for Luggage and Bags." China Light Industry Press, 2019.

Smith, J. & Anderson, K. "Design and Manufacturing of Metal Frame Structures for Fashion Accessories." Journal of Manufacturing Processes, Vol. 45, 2020, pp. 223-235.

Liu Jianjun, Chen Wei. "Mechanical Properties Analysis of Metal Frames for Handbags." Packaging Engineering, Vol. 41, No. 8, 2020, pp. 156-162.

European Committee for Standardization. "EN 12472:2020 - Method for the Simulation of Wear and Corrosion for the Detection of Nickel Release from Coated Items." Brussels: CEN, 2020.

Zhao Lei, Sun Lihua. "Research on the Application of New Aluminum Alloys in Luggage Accessories". Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2021, pp. 445-450.