A New and Dangerous enemy of the Local Shaper

I wonder if it can build me a girl friend?

 

I don't know about 'enemy' status.....if I were the 3D board guy, I'd be franchising the heck outta that technology to enable local shapers to do an even better job of creating terrific boards for local surfers.

Just my 2 centavos

 

As cool as it sounds, I feel like this is something that's too "tech" too fast for something that's seems like it's remained pretty much unchanged since boards were first made from foam and fiberglass. Or correct me if I'm wrong. I don't know ****.

 

I wouldn't worry. Didn't you notice that turd they use an example? Seems like all the 3D printer does is make the framing for a hollow board.

 

Still not as dangerous as their #1 Worst Enemy...



...Getting a real job



j/k

 

Isn't this just the next step for the popout companies? I don't see this being any worse than what shapers already face today. There will still always be a market for hand-shaped boards. It is a cool concept that I would support for fin manufacturing.

 

If this wasn't true, the existing tech would have put hand shapers out of business a long time ago. The potential value in it, as I see it, is taking a lot of the guesswork out of the design process. If you have good hard data to start with, rather than the rider's anecdotal description of what he may or may not actually be experiencing, you've got a better shot at nailing a good design for that particular person. However... the results are only as good as the data. So if all you're getting are basics... like length, width and "volume"... well, a good shaper has those dialed in already, and the tech isn't much help. But if you're taking about data that can detail things like length and depth of concave, length of hard edge and degree of tuck, location of rail apex... that can be very helpful.

 

Embrace technology or get lost in the dust.
3d printers are becoming affordable, but the ink is still really expensive right now...

 

technology can absolutely change industries and businesses. for example, Kodak was not convinced that digital photography could overtake the quality and demand within that industry, and they ignored it. Well, not they are too far behind the game and barely hanging on. There is a chance that 3d printing could save producers so much money, while maintaining a high quality shape/material/etc., that the reflection to consumer savings takes over the industry. If I could buy a really nice board, like a gsi, but at an even greater discount (brand new for $300) I'd buy one.

 

It may get pushed aside, but I don't think the craft of hand shaping will die. I agree with Brewengineer that there will always be a niche market of people who like to have something hand made. If anything, skilled shapers will probably be able to charge hefty sums for increasingly rare hand-shaped boards. Look at guitars, for example.

 

yeah I agree, because theres still a market for old/traditional film and cameras...

 

3 d printers are the future. It's everywhere now. Cars, dentistry, surfboards etc. I know a guy who sells them and there isn't many people selling them. Pros will still work with their shaper to get what they need. Remember they are Pro's. They can surf anything they stand on. They prefer their own shapes to make their life as easy as possible in the competing world. Look at their quivers it's huge. What they don't like usually goes to friends families or given away to autumn off for some charity.

 

They are making printed working AR-15's now...google it...amazing

 

just the lower receiver, yea?

 

I read an article in surfer about it. They are not quite to boards yet. The fins they are making are not as sturdy as they would like. It may be awhile. I would think the combo of foam and glass might cause some issues. Probably easier if it were just one material.

 

Its definitely thinking outside the box! However, here's the problem....

It may work with sailboards or kiteboards etc... but when it comes to surfboards one of the first things I learned when shaping is about the foam. There's a reason why Clark Foam was so sought after and why there's only a couple of companies out there that good shapers use.

It actually has to do with the density of the foam and not just density but the spring factor. It sounds minut but really makes a huge difference! A soft or spongy foam makes for a crappy board! This is why good shapers haven't jumped on the whole eco thing or recyclable materials. Its because they just don't have the same spring or density as a good poly blank.

So while there is all these great ideas and new technology coming about no one has yet come up with a comparable "Clark" blank!

I'm open though to try it all!

 

It would be great to print out a fin plug if you accidentally break one.

 

NOTHING will ever completely replace hand shaped hand crafted surfboards. They are works of arts, each unique in every way and tailored to each surfers technical needs. The HUMAN ELEMENT can never be relaced by computers as much as we try. Hand crafted surfboards are the way to go. Many of the top professional riders such as Dane Reynolds are even admitting that nothing rides like hand shaped boards.