Sep 26, 2014 | Alec
Recently, another inventive application of 3D printing technology surfaced on Kickstarter. For this week, the Atlanta-based freelance inventor Andrew James launched a particularly original idea on the crowdfunding website. This skateboard enthusiast is seeking to raise $55,000 over the next 28 days for his Electric Bubble Gum Board.
This electric road runner is a very impressive combination of 3D printing, a light-weight engine and –impressively – a Wii mote steering wheel. Not only does it look cool, it's also very fast: the Bubble Gum Board weighs as little as 12.1 lbs, but has enough power in it to go 21 mph. The electric engine has enough juice to keep up this top speed for an impressive 10 miles.
As he explained in his bio, James has always been particularly fond of skateboarding and tinkering with electric vehicles. 'For the last few years, I have been riding my electric skateboards to work, the laundry mat, the park, and basically everywhere else. People always seem really interested in how they work, how fun they look to ride and my various different designs. I decided it was time to put my electric skateboards on Kickstarter and generate enough interest to start a business.'
And the prototype he developed is bound to get the attention of many a teenager. It consists of a compact board (some 27 inches long) that is available in a variety of colors. It is powered by a Lifep04 battery pack that comes with a battery management system that is easy to recharge. 'The Electric Bubblegum also includes an LED voltage meter so you know how much life is left before needing a recharge with the included 9v charger. The included charger can recharge the Electric Bubblegum in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.'
The controls, meanwhile, are very inventive. Taking some obvious inspiration from Nintendo, it is controlled with a wireless Wii Nunchuck that connects to an Arduino system. 'We have found this is one of the best solutions there is for a controller, with a short learning curve. Using the Joystick the rider is able to control throttle, braking, throttle sensitivity and cruise control functions. It wireless interfaces with the board through an arduino built into the boards controller.'
Interestingly, many of the parts were designed to be easily printed with just about any 3D printer. Many parts are made of ABS material, which first surprised us. Won't this lead to Scrambled Brain Syndrome when combined with a skateboard? However, James assures readers of Kickstarter that 'the ABS parts are surprisingly strong and able to handle life under a skateboard excellently.'
Furthermore, 3D printing wasn't just chosen for its affordability:
Parts wear out -- The concept behind this design was to make a board with easily printable ABS parts that can be replaced by the user. This allows users to reprint pulleys and covers on their own. Every backer will receive a USB stick with all the STL files needed to print new parts or even change colors. For backers without a 3D printer. we will supply replacement and redesigned parts for a reasonable cost.
The electronic components, meanwhile, have been properly housed to stay cool and dry inside their case'. Safety was one of the key issues in the design process, he says. While that might very well be true for the design, the Bubble Gum Board can reach a top speed of 21 mph. Perhaps a 3D helmet might be a useful addition to this project?
When disregarding safety for a minute, however, the Bubble Gum Board is obviously a very cool and inventive project. Not only does it show off the durability of ABS material (if it can go 21 mph, what can't it do?) but it also highlights one of the key aspects of 3D printing: easy replacement of parts.
If the Kickstarter for this partially 3D printed skateboard turns out to be a success, James intends to make the Bubble Gum Boards available for some $550 apiece, which certainly isn't very expensive in the world of electric vehicles. To do that, however, some $50,000 still needs to be raised, so check out his Kickstarter here.
Take a look at the Bubble Gum Board in action here:
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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How can I get one ??!
3dprintingpartner wrote at 9/28/2014 4:19:41 PM:
Customized skateboard seems like an amazing 3d printing trend
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