How is a Snowboard made?
How is a snowboard actually manufactured? We've met our friend Adde Sixtensson who works at Åre Skidfabrik. He manufactures skis and snowboards daily. Adde explained to us the basic process of how a snowboard is made. It's a complex procedure that requires extensive experience and expertise. We'll try to explain it as simply as possible. Of course, there are certain differences in production depending on the materials, factory, and technology. But this is in broad strokes how a snowboard is made.
A snowboard consists, in broad terms, of wood, plastic, fiberglass, steel, glue, and a bit of rubber.
Components of a Snowboard
- Wood Core - Different types of wood depending on the model.
- Base - The underside of the board. P-Tex plastic.
- Fiberglass - Reinforcement. Carbon fiber or similar materials may be added here for extra strength.
- Top Sheet - The graphic on the board.
- Steel Edge - Bent to fit the board's shape.
- Glue - Epoxy that gives the board strength and character.
- Inserts - Screw holes for bindings.
- Sidewall - The sides of the board.
- Some Rubber - Rubber strip to allow materials to flex.
That all boards are handmade. Of course, machines are used to simplify the process. Making a snowboard requires more than many think. Many believe they're manufactured by robots on assembly lines and find it strange that boards are expensive. Reading this article might help understand why they actually cost money.
A cheap board is versatile and consists of cheaper materials in a simple construction. An expensive board is specialized and consists of more exclusive materials in a more complex construction.
Here's How (in Broad Strokes) a Snowboard is Built
To manufacture a snowboard, you first and foremost need a basic idea for the snowboard. This means the board's shape, material selection, design, and graphics.
In a CAD program, you design the wood fixture, shape, and materials. Then, you mill the wood fixture for the wood core and mill an aluminum mold with a lid in a CNC mill. The aluminum mold is bent to create a camber or rocker in the nose and tail of the board. Next, you print the graphics on the top sheet and base.
During the assembly of the snowboard's components, the aluminum mold is used. This is called layup and is done by hand. In this process, you place the parts in the following order:
1. Place the base
2. Wrap the steel edge around the base
3. Apply a layer of glue
4. Thin rubber membrane on the steel edge
5. Fiberglass weave (additional reinforcement like carbon fiber strips, etc.)
6. Wood core with inserts
7. Filling in the nose and tail
8. Sidewalls
9. Apply a layer of glue
10. Fiberglass weave
11. Top sheet
Once the board's components are placed in the aluminum mold, you put the mold in a large hydraulic press heated to 120°C for bonding and hardening. In the press, you set the board's profile/span, meaning whether it should have camber or rocker. The board stays in the press for about 30 minutes. Then, you trim excess material, grind steel edges, and give the base texture to improve its glide properties.
The board's sidewall is also milled at the correct angle using a CNC mill. Then, you tap threads for inserts, check quality, and apply serial numbers. The board is tuned and packaged before being sent out to the customer.
This procedure is repeated every time a new snowboard is to be built. It requires a lot of manual work and precision to manufacture a snowboard.
Remember the Next Time You Ride.
Your Snowboard is Handmade.
Board Builder: Adde Sixtensson, Åre Skidfabrik.
Photo: Snowboardpodden.