The mad snow scientists at California-based Signal Snowboards are at it again. They have a monthly show they put together with Network A, called Every Third Thursday, where they come up with a snowboard concept, regardless of how off the wall, execute it, and ride the board they’ve created. To date, they’ve made a Lego board, a board embedded with an iPad (called the iShred and made in honor of Steve Jobs), a board covered in solar panels that charges devices, a multi-tool board, a playable xylophone board, a glass board, and the latest, a 3D printed board.
The board was made in collaboration with GrowIt 3D and printed in puzzle pieces out of a carbon-based powder on their high-end selective laser sintering (SLS) machines. The pieces were then cleaned up, assembled, coated in resin, reinforced with three thin metal rods, and taken out for a test ride in its raw form (no sintered base). The shape is a bit strange, with its dramatic shovel nose, and it proved to ride a bit slow with not much pop, but hey, it’s the first 3D printed board ever.
Here are some shots of their other boards mentioned above:
[via Designboom; thanks Jon Johns!]
14 thoughts on “First 3D Printed Snowboard”
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First off I want to see one person land a jump with this board. Second when did the “First 3D printed …” become newsworthy. What if someone did the same thing but made a car, just 3D printed chunks glued together with “thin metal rods.” I would complain that there is no engine or electrical system, the thing would basically be a publicity stunt.
If these guys made some sort of duel head 3D printer that put stranded core of build material that had glass in it, then it would be interesting.
There are those that make, and those that complain
There are those that make and complain.
What stampede said. And complaints that are properly punctuated and spelled-checked are received at least somewhat better than those that are not.
Right in the grammar skills I’m so hurt
It seems you’re complaining a bit too strongly when it looks like 90 to 95% of this product is 3D printed. The comparison to a car without an engine is a reach of a metaphor. Your idea of what’s newsworthy is ridiculously stringent that basically nothing is newsworthy, because SLS of carbon and metal at the same time would be a very significant feat.
I think it’s a pretty big deal and pretty friggin cool, even it’s build out of chunks glued together.. the shape is a bit odd though.