3D printed skis from PTC challenge the elite
In connection with the Alliansloppet in Trollhättan, the audience will experience something completely new: a race on 3D-printed skate roller skis between national team skiers Calle Halfvarsson and Edvin Anger. The skis have been developed by University West at the Production Technology Center and highlight the world-leading environment for AM methods that PTC represents
The specially designed skis are made of aluminum using wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The aluminum skis are built layer by layer with laser and metal wire.
– “What additive manufacturing offers is more tailored solutions and the ability to optimize weight, create more complex geometries and get iterations faster without expensive tools. You don’t need to machine away as much material as with traditional methods,” says Joel Andersson, Professor of Materials Science and Director of Production Technology at University West.
– The roller skis in particular are an example of where we have been able to optimize the geometry and reduce material consumption. This ski is a bit heavier than what racers normally use, but it’s impressive what we’ve achieved in a short time and with limited resources. It shows the strength of the PTC environment.
The Alliansloppet and Action Week are a great show of strength for Trollhättan. By connecting with PTC, we can showcase the greatness of what we have here
20 years of research and collaboration at the Production Technology Center
The development of 3D printing in Trollhättan has been going on for over 20 years in collaboration between GKN Aerospace, University West, Innovatum Science Park and other industries. The result is today a world-leading competence environment where the techniques are used, not least in aircraft engine components, which has resulted in GKN Aerospace now building a new factory for series production.
– It’s the whole ecosystem – the interplay between materials science, process development and industrial application, and innovative start-ups – that makes us where we are. At PTC, we have a unique palette of additive methods, from WAAM to powder bed. At the university, together with more than 70 industrial companies, we have research and development worth around SEK 100 million per year, and that figure increases tenfold if you consider the entire PTC ecosystem. You won’t find this anywhere else in the Nordic region,” says Joel Andersson.
Collaboration builds momentum
The fact that the PTC is an open arena for collaboration between companies and academia creates great power in development.
– Collaboration means that one plus one does not become two, but three. Academia sees the issues from one perspective, industry from another. The fact that we collaborate on machinery and research and all the expertise available in the building creates a dynamic and a learning process that drives development forward
The Alliance Race as an arena
Putting 3D printed skis up against the elite in the world’s biggest roller ski race highlights the unique environment PTC provides.
– “Alliansloppet and Action Week are a big boost for Trollhättan. By linking up with the PTC, we can showcase the greatness of what we have here – both to the general public and to young people who might open their eyes to production technology. It’s also a way to inspire more people to come here. Sweden needs more people with the right skills and we want to arouse interest,” says Joel Andersson.
The future of manufacturing is here
In addition to the 3D printed skis, honorary prizes for the Alliance Race winners will also come from PTC: a 3D printed titanium jewel, made with powder bed technology. And the potential of the technologies developed at PTC extends far beyond the world of sport.
– The aerospace industry is an obvious area of application, but AM can also make a difference in, for example, the marine, energy, food and defense sectors. The technology reduces material consumption, reduces environmental footprint and changes supply chains through print-on-demand. It revolutionizes how we think about production. Not everything will be done with AM, but as a complement it is a huge competitive advantage – especially in industries with high value products and small series,” says Joel Andersson.
The race with the 3D printed skate roller skis
The race on the 3D-printed skate roller skis between the elite skiers Calle Halfvarsson and Edvin Anger is arranged on Thursday 28/8 at 19. It is in the Alliansloppets competition area and just after the GKN relay.
More about the skis:
Design and production: Mattias Igestrand, Research Engineer, Högskolan Väst. The design is based on the FIS rules for skate roller skis.
Production technology: 3D printed at Produktionstekniskt Centrum in Trollhättan. The technology is welding-based additive manufacturing with electric arc and wire (WAAM). It works by building the skis layer by layer with a metal wire. It takes about 2.5 hours to build one ski.
Material and weight: Aluminum. Each pod weighs 1.28 kg.
Read more about welding-based AM: Högskolan Väst – Svetsning och svetsbaserad additiv tillverkning
And about powder bed based AM: Högskolan Väst – Pulverbäddsbaserad additiv tillverkning