Tanner Waite, a California-based mechanical engineer has developed a 23-piece 3D printed surfboard. Waite’s neon orange PETG filament-based creation, inspired by Chemistry Surfboards’ Cassette Deck, utilizes a unique Lego-inspired design.
Waite’s endeavor was not just a creative choice; it was a necessity dictated by the limitations of his 3D printer bed. Unable to handle larger components, he meticulously designed the surfboard in 23 smaller parts, each printed at a 6 percent infill for optimal strength-to-weight ratio.
The surfboard, a culmination of four months of labor and non-stop printing, met both excitement and uncertainty during its beach debut. Waite’s creation defied expectations by floating and withstanding paddling. However, the real test came during a daring 360 maneuver, leading to the board’s eventual fragmentation.
Despite the breakage, Waite received a positive response from the surfing community, including valuable feedback, Waite is gearing up for a second version with a promised “very thin hot coat.”
This venture, although facing a setback, has demonstrated the potential of merging surfing and engineering through 3D printing. As the surfing world embraces unconventional approaches, the future holds exciting possibilities for enhanced designs, improved materials, and resilient 3D printed surfboards that challenge the norms of wave-riding.
The blend of engineering precision and surfing passion opens doors to a future where unconventional designs redefine the surfing experience.
Source: surfertoday.com
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