Research & Design

Research
One of the first things that happens in the life span of a new snowboard is research. Engineers are a central part of the multidisciplinary team that considers who the target consumer is and how the product will be used. Is it intended for experienced snowboarders or novices, children or adults? Is it being created for recreational use or professional competition? How will this board be different from boards already available? What shapes and materials can be used to result in faster speeds or the reduced vibration levels that can give riders more control? Once the answers to these questions have been answered, product specifications and some broad initial designs are created and passed on to the engineers in the design and development phase. Specifications may cover details such as edge design, dimensions, strength vs. flexibility, as well as look and feel.

Design and Development
Once the team knows who they are designing a new board for, the decisions can be made about what shapes and materials to use. If the board is being aimed at female users, the engineers will explore shapes that are shorter and narrower, which give more control to a user with a smaller foot. The curve of the hourglass shape – known as a sidecut – will be more pronounced, making turning smaller boards easier. The materials used will need to meet flexibility levels, which for a women’s board will be higher than for a men's since a board’s 'flex' is tied closely to the rider’s weight. Once designs are laid out in detail, physical and virtual models or prototypes are created so that the engineers can see how the designs and materials will look and behave under different conditions.