Effect of Fabric Reinforcement on the Flexural Properties of EPS-Core Surfboard Constructions

Effect of Fabric Reinforcement on the Flexural Properties of EPS-Core Surfboard Construction

Shape optimisation of a snowboard binding highback. A case study of generative design process comparison

FEA software is traditionally expensive to purchase, takes a high level of technical skill and understanding and requires users to dedicate years to develop specialist skills. With the increasing popularity of more user-friendly, elementary software packages such as Fusion360, more cost effective and efficient processes can be developed and harnessed, especially by SME’s and designers that don’t have the ability to purchase expensive software packages. One particular FEA element that has recently begun transitioning from highly specialised to more readily available is ‘generative design’ and ‘shape optimisation.' Shape optimisation has only been able to be utilised by large corporations with large research and development budgets. This case study looks at exploring and optimising the methods involved in generative design for product development and it’s aimed at facilitating practises for small to medium enterprises (SME’s).The work described in this paper presents a study using a snowboard binding highback component which was reverse engineered using 3D scanning. A blank model, free of any discerning features was created from the scan and then used as the platform for the generative design phase. This process was completed using easily accessible software (Fusion 360) as well as high-end professional software (Ansys 16). A comparison between the two workflows analyses the resultant model outcomes and outlines efficiencies regarding processing time, technical skill, and latent difficulties of the entry-level process for generative design of the snowboarding high back.This paper aims to demonstrate and describe an optimisation model for generative design and shape optimisation during entry-level product development

An Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Performance of EPS Foam Core Sandwich Composites Used in Surfboard Design

Surfboard manufacturing has begun to utilise Expanded Polystyrene as a core material; however, surf literature relatively ignores this material. This manuscript investigates the mechanical behaviour of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sandwich composites. An epoxy resin matrix was used to manufacture ten sandwich-structured composite panels with varying fabric reinforcements (carbon fibre, glass fibre, PET) and two foam densities. The flexural, shear, fracture, and tensile properties were subsequently compared. Under common flexural loading, all composites failed via compression of the core, which is known in surfing terms as creasing. However, crack propagation tests indicated a sudden brittle failure in the E-glass and carbon fibre facings and progressive plastic deformation for the recycled polyethylene terephthalate facings. Testing showed that higher foam density increased the flex and fracture mechanical properties of composites. Overall, the plain weave carbon fibre presented the highest strength composite facing, while the single layer of E-glass was the lowest strength composite. Interestingly, the double-bias weave carbon fibre with a lower-density foam core presented similar stiffness behaviour to standard E-glass surfboard materials. The double-biased carbon also improved the flexural strength (+17%), material toughness (+107%), and fracture toughness (+156%) of the composite compared to E-glass. These findings indicate surfboard manufacturers can utilise this carbon weave pattern to produce surfboards with equal flex behaviour, lower weight and improved resistance to damage in regular loading

Analysis of Thermal-Regulation and Comfort Associated with User Perceptions and Garment Performance

This study is designed to understand post-exercise comfort perceptions by exploring the relationship between users and garments. Influenced by new technologies from fibres, manufacturing techniques, and surface coatings athletic apparel is changing. These technologies can influence the quality of daily pursuits, and by assessing psychological and physiological responses to physical activity, it’s possible to optimise garment performance. To that end, this paper presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis of thermal regulation and comfort perceptions within a controlled laboratory environment. A group of eleven healthy athletic female participants performed a twenty-minute high-intensity interval training running session (HIIT) and subsequent transition activity period. Participants had vitals monitored and were periodically prompted with specific questions to gauge their perceptions of effort, temperature, exertion, and comfort. The results suggest that perceptual differences are minor when evaluating apparel design during high-intensity exercise, and perhaps the efforts of garment design optimization would be best placed in an immediately subsequent activity type