Ski and snowboard manufacturer Ramp Sports has been awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on its ski and snowboard molding process.
“We are proud to be the only ski and snowboard manufacturer in the
world with our rapid-prototyping technology that allows us to adapt
product designs instantaneously,” said Mike Kilchenstein, President of
RAMP Sports. “We can literally have our team testing skis and snowboards
on the mountain in the morning and refining their designs in the
afternoon. Our competition often has to wait years to implement radical
design changes because they are bound to a costly mold production
process that uses very expensive tooling which needs to last many years.
The problem with the old process is the molds become obsolete quickly.”
Kilchenstein said their proprietary process is similar to a vacuum molding process used to make carbon helicopter blades or any other precision composite component; and the patent deals primarily with the way the base, edges and the mold interface.
Ramp’s newly patented technology bypasses the mold-development process traditionally required for ski and snowboard manufacturing, that can sometimes cost dozens of thousands of dollars, resulting in a “significant advancement” within the snow sports industry. Kilchenstein also said the process gives Ramp the flexibility to experiment with “all different kinds of materials in addition to composites,” and to change thicknesses on the fly.
With its newly patented molding process, Ramp designers can be “more creative, quickly changing materials and dimensions,” decreasing turnaround times and, according to the company, enabling faster product advancement. Kilchenstein said the biggest changes in ski and snowboard design are about shape; and the company’s technology gives them the ability to change shape anytime without substantial tooling costs. The new skis gain their camber from a natural process instead of being pressed into shape, and close perfectly at the center mark.
The process was originally conceptualized and engineered from the company's environmentally friendly facility located in Park City, Utah. All Ramp skis, snowboards and skateboards are designed and produced in the USA. Kilchenstein was formerly with Rossignol for 33 years before coming to Ramp 5 seasons ago.
Ramp (Riders Artists Musicians Project) Sports manufactures high-quality skis, snowboards and longboards at its state- of-the-art facility in Park City using innovative manufacturing techniques and advanced materials. They sell direct to consumer. For more information on RAMP including this patented technology, environmental initiatives, athlete roster, artists and musicians, visit http://www.rampsports.com. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter @RAMPSports.
