Here is the final product!

Here are a few prototyping pictures. The top photo is an iteration of ProDeck made of only fiberglass and epoxy resin. I found the epoxy to be a little too fixable. The picture below shows some of the materials I used and the prototyping facility. The other two are of the final prototype being made. I covered my new board in plastic then made a sheet of carbon fiber on top of it. a lot was learned from working with these materials.

This is a surfboard I shaped before it was glassed. I shaped the surfboard so I could have a new board to make a prototype for.

I talked with the guys at sunset shapers. they were really helpful. we talked about how I could go about making a deck protector. They were talking about carbon fiber and carbon kevlar fiber.

Also, I got a hold of Alex Martins, a well known big wave charger. It was cool talking to him because I have always heard about him and the waves he surfs.

Hypothesis

A product that protects the deck of a surfboard can be

developed that does not hinder the board’s performance.

Revised Problem and Purpose Statement

Problem:
Surfboards made from polyurethane foam are the most common and preferred high performance surfboards, unfortunately they have a short lifespan due to their susceptibility to sever deck damage from normal use.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to research surfboard materials and construction methods to find a viable solution that will improve longevity and strength of surfboards.

This survey was passed out at Aqua Surf Shop and Las Olas surfboards for surfers to respond to.

Surfboard Deck Damage Survey:

This information will be used by John Kuhns for his culminating SFSU senior

research / design project.

Do you ride a polyurethane board?

Yes

No

Have you ever had problems with the deck of your boards getting crushed

where you stand?

Yes

No

Is the damage mostly under your front foot or back foot?

Front

Back

Is most of the damage that you have had to repair mostly on the stringer or

rails?

Stringer

Rails

Do you use a traction pad?

Yes

No

If yes, where do you use them?

Back only

Front only

Both

Rate the importance of these qualities when getting a new surfboard from 1

to 5. 1 being not important, 5 being very important

Lightness 1 2 3 4 5

Strength 1 2 3 4 5

Being hand shaped 1 2 3 4 5

Please give any comments about damage to the deck of surfboards made

from polyurethane foam or any of the questions. Answer on back. Thanks.

 

Panel of Experts:

Nasser Jalali – Professor Jalali has an impressive history in the manufacturing environment. He is also a professor at SFSU where he teaches, among other classes, plastics. His knowledge of plastics and foam should prove to be helpful in my search of materials.

Alex Martins – He is a long time big wave surfer. He is an invitee at the mavericks contest witch is the premier big wave contest in the world. Alex is also a good small wave, high performance surfer. He fixes dings professionally and has a ding repair shop in the Sunset District of San Francisco. With all the boards he fixes he will be able to shed some light on where deck damage is the most common problem.

Andrew Loska – Andrew rips at surfing and is a surfboard shaper in San Clemente. San Clemente is known for being a major surfboard shaping center. He will be a good resource because he knows surfboards and surfboard construction.

Three Problem and Purpose statements with Inspiration Boards

Problem Statement:

Polyurethane surfboards are the most common and preferred high performance surfboard but very susceptible to pressure dings and the deck being crushed where the surfer stands.

Purpose statement:

The purpose of this study was to examine surfboard construction materials and develop a method to help surfboards last longer.

Problem Statement:

Small personal items like keys, cell phones, and remotes are always getting lost in people’s houses.

Purpose statement:

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to keep small personal items from being lost.

Problem statement:

Even expensive super chewer dogs toys get chewed up by some dogs quickly.

Purpose statement:

The purpose of this study was to develop a chew toy for dogs who are very strong chewers that would last.

JohnKuhns.blogspot.com

who I am

Hi. My name is John Kuhns. I'm 26 years old and finally about to graduate college. I have been studying product design for the past three years here in San Francisco. Before that I attended City College and took a few architectural design classes, also here in San Francisco. I really enjoyed those classes and they are what helped me know that design is what I wanted to persue. Straight out of high school I took most of my GE classes at the local Jr college near where I grew up in San Clemente.

I grew up surfing and it is the most central thing in my life. Everything from my friends to the places I have lived to my area of study is mostly due to surfing. I like to be outside in nature, I don't know if that is why I like surfing so much or if surfing has made me appreciate the outdoors.

Since I was born my dad has taken me to Mexico for at least a month in the winter, I will probably continue going there for the rest of my life. My Dad is a major inspiration in my life. He is a surfer and also an artist. He is a really good potter and sells his pots at art shows around the country for his living.

In my life I hope to be happy. I hope to get a job that I love doing. I want to work in the surf industry if for no other reason to be around people who understand that I need a vacation now and then and when the waves are good I'm taking a day off. I have worked for the past ten years in restaurants, they don't always understand where I'm coming from when I need a day off.

active    loyal    happy-camper    DYI'er    estheticist    maximizer