Manufacturing Processes
Prototyping, CAD modelling, Tube bending, 3D printing, Sheet metal forming, Laser Cutting, Riveting, Anodizing
Materials
6061 aluminum tubing, 5052 aluminum sheet, Neoprene coated nylon, Biothane straps, 1/4 in aluminum rivets, 3D printed Carbon RPU 70, Purchased bindings
Drifter's story
In Design and Manufacturing, a class at Stanford, the entire class culminates in the completion of a quarter long project. I love the outdoors and in approaching this project, I knew I wanted to make something that I could use to get outside. after some deliberation I decided on snowshoes. They had to be strong and durable but lightweight, and I wanted them to have a streamlined look. The finished product is a highly finished and robust set of snowshoes.
Manufacturing
The design of the snowshoes necessitated difficult compound bends of the high-strength aluminum alloy frame, which required a lot of thought and prototyping to reliably achieve. I 3D printed the piece connecting the back tubing of the snowshoe to the fabric out of a very durable polyurethane plastic. For the webbing, I decided on neoprene coated nylon for its strength and water, wear, and UV resistance. The crampons were cut using a corner notcher and formed with a handbrake. The crampons and tubing were then anodized for corrosion and wear resistance.
Back piece of snowshoe, 3D printed on carbon M2 3D printer
Cutting the crampons
Cutting the decking fabric
The bent aluminum frames on top of the tube bender
