PUSU Yykeä Splitboard

My masters thesis was a prototyping project in collaboration with a Finnish ski & snowboard manufacturer PUSU.

The object was to design a new splitboard model, and try to find ways to streamline the manufacturing process through the design methods.

As a result, two working prototypes were made and tested in real environment, and based on the findings, design propositions were presented to the manufacturer.

Design process

Project started out by benchmarking and sketching, and then moved quickly to Fusion 360 to produce the CAD drawings, that would be used in the production of the board, and the molds.

Rhinoceros 3D was used in the project to produce 3D-renderings of the final products.

Building  the prototypes

As I was designing a completely new splitboard model, the process involved producing new molds, jigs  etc. This was a great learning experience, as I was able to be involved in the complete manufacturing process of a new model from start to finish. In the end, two prototypes were produced, with different core and sidewall materials.

Field Testing and Analysing

The testing was performed through the next winter in locations where the board was designed to be ridden; Lyngen alps, Norway, and various fjells in Finnish Lapland. As a result, changes to the boards design were suggested based on the notes made during the testing.

The final product

As a result, two prototype splitboards were produced, and a lot of new ideas and findings about the manufacturing process found in the process, and both parties gained some new, valuable knowledge and experience.