A2 Project - Deck

Nathan Salf

Problem, Design Brief and ObjectivesProblemI have decided to focus my project on a skateboard deck, designed solely for ‘cruising’ as opposed to performing tricks using it. The purpose of focusing on a deck came from my interest in skateboarding and an attractive cruiser deck for use on the streets. Most decks of today are produced by injection moulding plastic into the form of the board, whereas mine will be a different take on the conventional plastic cruiser and I will be using a combination of woods instead. Using wood will make the board look more like a standard sized deck and therefore suit the image I am hoping to achieve in regards to aesthetics.If I produced this design, I believe that the marketing potential would be quite a niche amount and make the product more of a collectors item than a conventional board. My product would be aimed at teenagers, mainly boys and the general skating community (containing both males and females of all ages). As the cruiser skateboarding scene is more common in the US, marketing there would make more sense and would possibly make it more successful.Design briefTo design and make a cruiser skateboard that will be developed to fit my clients’ needs and will be produced within school.Objectives• Investigate the potential for developing the product• Investigate the human factors involved• Develop my skills in designing and manufacturing a suitable product that suits the requirements of the client

Creature Skateboards

Creature Skateboards are a skateboard company based in the USA and is currently led by team captain Darren Navarette.The colouring on most Creature decks follow a house-style of greens and purple, with the odd board being unconventionally coloured to direct a different image for the decks artwork to follow. The designs on the decks are usually very detailed and contain various amounts of different images and styles throughout the numerous graphical collections that Creature produce.I am hoping to use graphics similar to the Creature ones, by producing detailed artwork for the base of the deck and following a house-style through my deck logo, graphics and box-art.

Flip Skateboards are a skateboarding company from the USA, currently led by Jeremy Fox and Geoff Rowley.The various decks in the new Flip collection showcase vast amounts of colour and numerous designs. The use of colour throughout the decks is immaculate and the designs are really eye-catching alongside the colours used within them. Although the artwork isn’t as detailed as the Creature skateboard decks, it has an original style and use of colour.I plan to follow a similar image of the Flip decks, by using a vast array of colours and detailed artwork throughout the product – such as the logo, deck artwork and packaging.

Flip Skateboards

Santa Cruz Skateboards

NHS, Inc. is mainly known for their skateboard decks, wheels and snowboarding gear and is currently owned and run by Rich Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman.The Santa Cruz deck collection showcases the best art and use of colour between the 3 companies (Creature, Flip and Santa Cruz). In my opinion, the art placed on these decks are very detailed and unique, boasting large amounts of colour and accurate lining. The artwork and use of colour are very effective and eye-catching and represents Santa Cruz Skateboards at their finest.I would like to follow a similar image, using detailed artwork and a very elaborate use of colour throughout the collection. My goal is to use these conventions throughout the deck, artwork and packaging, such as using the logo that I will design in all of the different pieces.

ACCESS FM – Skateboard deckAesthetics – This deck is tapered in order to provide for a front and rear kick-tail for the skater to use for trick based skateboarding. The artwork is laminated onto the base and follows the curvature and concave of the deck, meaning the art is not distort or disfigured when applied. The imagery on this deck is very simple but effective, it is eye-catching and provides a strong statement – ‘No Gods’, which many people could relate to in the skating scene as a way of enforcing their religion. The main colours of the artwork are gold, red and black and are used throughout the imagery and text shown on the deck. Due to low use of colour, printing costs for the initial laminate print will be small and of a low cost.Cost – The initial cost for this deck is £56.50 and is quite highly priced in regards to a standard deck. Many decks are based on cost of artwork or simply due to the brand that have distributed it – such as Flip, in this example.As a standard deck, I highly doubt a beginner skater would pay such large amounts of money for an artwork based deck and due to the fact that the imagery has no impact on the functionality of the board, the extra cost is simply based on its aesthetics. This seems to be more of a ‘show’ deck, that could be used as decoration around the home, due to its artwork and general image.Customer – Any skateboarder could use or buy this deck, due to its simple design and is the conventional deck to buy. Due to its price and aesthetic appeal, many skaters would go for a lower priced, simpler deck to save money and sustain similar functionality.Environment – This deck would be used indoors and outdoors, for competitive and/or street skating. It can be used worldwide, due to the international appeal of skateboarding and the sport in general. Due its 7-ply Canadian maple body, the board is very strong and can withstand extensive use indoors and outdoors, taking damage from simple stone chips and weight of the user. As some skateboarders revolve their sport around trick based street-skating, lots of damage may occur due to the excessive use of the kick-tail and also from grinding.Size- This deck in particular is 203mm wide by 762 mm in length and is commonly used for people taller than 5’3” and is classed as a ‘full-size’ deck. There are various other sizes – Mid-size, Mini and Micro, which vary in class based on the length and width of the deck.Safety- The deck is safe in all aspects, all edges are rounded and means that no injury can occur when in use by the user. Due to the nature of a standard skateboard deck, there are usually no sources of sharpness that could threaten the safety of the board.Luckily, I will follow this conventional style and shape of the deck, therefore reducing unsafe features that may occur in other style decks - such as longboards.Function – The function of the deck that I am designing is for decorative and sport purposes. This deck will be solely designed with heavy concentration on the aesthetic appeal of the board and can therefore be seen as a highly decorative deck, rather than one used entirely for its sport purpose.As the deck is designed around the conventional deck, including size and shape, the board can still be used for its traditional purpose and can be used for commuting and travel, as well as street-skating and for performing tricks. Although my board is styled around a ‘Penny’ board (mini/micro deck) and also takes inspiration from the ‘Stereo Vinyl Cruiser’, the practical purpose for my deck is still present but is heavily sold by the imagery and aesthetics. Material – Potentially 7-ply maple or bamboo will be used as they are both durable, strong and versatile. Many decks are made from standard 7-ply Canadian maple and as I would like to follow the conventional style, I would benefit from using this material on my custom deck. Although, maple is expensive and hard to get hold of in the style I want it to be. Bamboo is potentially cheaper and just as effective as maple so I will definitely have to decide on the better opinion before production, whether it’s bamboo or maple that I choose.

ACCESS FM – Penny boardAesthetics – This deck is tapered at one end in order to create a rear kicktail for trick based skating and ease control when moving at high speeds. The main selling point of a Penny is the customisation of colours that are available to the customer, including their choice of wheels, the trucks and the deck. The only issue with a plastic deck is the expense of production, in order for the decks to have made a considerable profit they must be sold for around £70. The vast amount of colours for customisation on the decks is pretty much endless, allowing the customer to have a huge array of colours and shades to suit their specifications.Cost – The usual cost for a complete Penny is £70 to £80, which includes the deck, trucks, wheels and bolts. Due to the extravagant style and cost of a Penny board deck, I doubt a beginner skater would pay such large amounts of money for it, but due to the popularity of the Penny franchise many people would pay more, simply because of the brand image. This is a more elaborate deck due to its bright colour scheme and it is mainly used for ‘cruising’ and therefore supporting the ‘psychedelic’ colours of the surfing scheme.Customer – Any skateboarder could use or buy this deck, due to its simple design and bright colours with huge customisation features. Due to its popular brand name and image and well-known aesthetics. Although many skaters would prefer a lower priced deck - the build and durability of this deck along with the popular Penny name, means that many customers will pay more than a standard deck or a branded copy of the Original Penny board.Environment – This deck could be used on indoor skate-parks or outdoors on the streets and it can be used worldwide, due to the international recognition of the Penny board and cruising, alongside the skateboarding sport in general. The board itself is very strong and can withstand extensive use from indoor and outdoor activities due to the secret plastic formula that Penny is known for. Lots of skateboarders use their boards on the street and therefore the deck needs to withstand damage such as stone chips and excessive wear.Size- This deck in particular is 152mm wide by 558.8mm in length and is commonly used for people than 5’2” and is categorised as a Micro deck. The Penny series comes in various sizes, such as the standard Penny board at 22” and its predecessor – the Penny Nickel, which comes in at 27”.Safety- The deck is safe in all aspects, all edges are rounded and means that no injury can occur from the ergonomics of the deck. Due to the nature of a Penny board, no injury can be inflicted on the user and therefore safety is not threatened. Luckily, I can replicate the conventional style of this deck when producing my own board, therefore reducing unsafe features that may occur in other style of decks, such as longboards.Function – The function of the deck is for conventional use but is also designed with heavy concentration on its aesthetic appeal and will therefore be mainly based around its image and colour scheming. As the deck is designed around the conventional micro board, it will be used for its traditional purpose and is essentially built for commuting and ‘cruising’ as well as street skating. Although the board that I intend on producing is based on this style deck, it also takes inspiration from various other branded micro decks and other old school boards. The practicality of the deck is still present whichever the style but is definitely heavily influenced by its aesthetics.Material – Although many standard decks are made from the traditional 7-ply maple or bamboo, the Penny board decks are made from plastic with a secret formula created by the company themselves which allows flexibility but retains durability like any other deck on the market. Although I would like to follow the same style as a conventional Penny deck, attempting to replicate the material used on the boards would be too expensive. Using 7-ply maple would much better and would be a lot less expensive in comparison but it would also retain the same shape achievable with plastic. Maple would be just as effective and as durable as a standard Penny deck and would be a lot easier to produce the shape that I want, without the expense which comes with using plastic.

ACCESS FM – Long boardAesthetics – This deck is shaped aerodynamically and every deck is individually handmade according to the customers foot size, weight and height. This board is made to travel at high speeds and therefore the aerodynamics of the deck is of the upmost importance. As well as the shape, the weight of the deck is highly important too and this specific model – the Stealth Division Mach 1, is made of carbon fibre. Wefunk make these to order so the customers have a lot of choice of customisation, including picking their own wheels, trucks and bolts. The issue with this deck is that it is really expensive to produce because of the choice of materials, but it is also very profitable due to the high selling price to cover labour costs and the custom fit of the deck. This is one of the only decks on the planet to be a precise to measure as this and therefore each deck is worth around £162 without customer measurements and around £250 to be custom fit. This deck includes no kicktail and is entirely flat, allowing the board to reach higher speeds without the risk of drag from a simple body adaptation.Cost – The cost of a usual deck is around £50 to £100 but the Mach 1 is in a league of its own, due to its ‘design to measure’ fit – meaning it costs around £250 just for the deck alone, excluding cost of trucks and wheels. I highly doubt a beginner would buy this product due to the extremely high price to pay at the risk of damaging it from newbie mistakes. The popularity of this deck is mostly brought through its elaborate style and high cost and therefore drives attention to the brand name, meaning sales have increased since the deck was first introduced. The cost mainly comes from the choice of material and the hard labour of making the deck by hand, meaning Wefunk cost so much more than the standard decks on the market.Customer – Any skateboarder could use or buy the deck but they’d certainly need to be comfortable before spending the £250 price tag to have the board. The deck is expensive but certainly has reasoning, Wefunk use the highest quality materials and make every deck by hand. Although many skaters would prefer a lower priced deck - the build and durability of the deck is unique and alongside the Wefunk branding, customers will pay a lot more than the normal price. This board is world famous for its choice of material and the way that it is manufactured, due to how unique it is against the rest of the market and people who are very interested in the sport or who are very good at the sport will probably invest in the deck to try and maximise their experience.Environment – This deck could be used outdoors, mostly for downhill racing or cruising and it can be used worldwide due to its recognition for the build and quality of the board. The board itself is very strong and can withstand excessive use from the outdoor activities because of the carbon fibre deck that it is built from. Lots of skateboarders use their boards on the street and therefore the deck needs to withstand damage such as stone chips and excessive wear. The Wefunk Mach 1 is extremely durable and is built for speed and also to withstand various inconveniences that may occur when the skater is using the board at high speeds.Size - This deck is 939.8mm in length and 246mm wide but will vary when customised to the customers measurements. The Stealth Division deck series comes in various sizes and varies in price to compliment the use of different material and different sizes. Due to the customer customisation that Wefunk allow, the deck can come in various sizes to compliment the buyers height, foot size and weight and therefore makes every deck unique.Safety - The deck is safe in all aspects, most edges are round and therefore allows no injury to occur when in use. Due to the customisation options that Wefunk give the buyer, it will ergonomically fit the customers stature and measurements which will further reduce injury as it will be built around the person it is built for. If I wish to replicate this style of deck when producing my own it would be extremely hard due to the complexity of the shape of the deck. Although there are sharp edges on the board, it is ergonomically build to reduce injury to the user.Function – The function of the deck is for conventional use – downhill riding. Although it is designed with aesthetics in mind, it is mostly produced to suit the user, allowing them the ability to customise it to their measurements and also picking from various different truck colours and bolt colours. Customisation is slightly restricted as Wefunk want to maintain the recognisable image of the Mach 1 and not allow the buyer to completely change the image of the board. Essentially, the deck is built for cruising and downhill ‘bombing’. Material – Although the standard decks are made from the traditional 7-ply maple, the Mach 1 is made entirely from carbon fibre , making the deck durable and strong but also extremely unique. Although I would like to replicate the body of the deck, the cost of copying the shape and style of the board would be extremely expensive and even getting hold of the material to produce it would be difficult. Using 7-ply maple would be much better to produce the deck at a cheaper rate, but the quality would not be as good and it wouldn’t be as durable and strong due to the length of the deck.

Action PlanIdentification of problemBrief and analysis

Meet with client

Research tasks

Initial specification

Initial and concept ideas

Development of ideas

Selection of ideas

Analysis of designs

Development of productModelling of concepts

Working drawings

CAD/CAM drawings

Planning manufacture

Making

Testing and evaluation

July/August September October November December January February March April

Research PlanWhat? Why? How? When?

Ergonomics I will have to take into consideration the size and weight of the materials available to me – due to my product being solely made within school, I only have the schools equipment at hand. My skateboard and rack will be both quite large and in regards to ergonomics, I will have to check the ergonomic data book to ensure that it is to suitable for use.

Materials I will have to check which materials are suitable for my deck and do research into what is currently used in the skateboard market. My product will have to be durable to outdoor terrain, so seeing what is being currently used will give me a good idea of what material to use.

Health & Safety I will need to check that the manufacturing processes I will use are suitable and are safe. Once my product is finished, I will also have to check that it is safe and cannot cause risk due to its production.

Aesthetics I need to consider what kind of design I will be engraving on the base of the design and ensure that it fits the art-style and design of decks currently on the market to give me a rough idea of the style of illustration that would expected to see. This way, I will know what is and is not appealing to my target audience and potential users of my product.

User ProfileAge: The age of the user for my product will be 12 years plus. This is because the product is sport based and could endanger the user if used improperly. By targeting my product at 12 year olds and above, their understanding of the decks proper use should be present.

Gender: My product could be aimed at both males and females due to the versatility of the deck. Skateboarding is stereotypically male based but the ‘cruising’ style of skating is often related to both genders due to its more universal and diverse style.

Ability: As I plan for my product to be used by everyday skaters, my deck will have to be strong in order to withstand weight without flexing or breaking. I can reduce this risk by using multiple layers of wood in order to strengthen the deck (7-ply).

Needs and wants: The main needs for my deck is for it to be universally used as a skateboard, specifically produced for ‘cruising’. The deck will need to follow size guidelines in order to be ergonomic in relation to the user, this will allow the skater the upmost comfort and relaxation when having the product in full use.

Ease of use: I plan to make the functions of the product easy to use, such as assembling the trucks and wheels onto the deck. By preparing the deck for practical use in the real world, truck mounts will have to be integrated before it is completed. This will allow the user to customise the deck to their choosing, without modifying the deck itself.

Corporate image: I would like to incorporate brand logo’s onto the deck or a colour scheme that I could follow, using similar colours to the logo throughout the graphics on the deck.

Specification Overview

FunctionThis skateboard is designed to be used as display or the possibility of practical use.

SafetyI need to ensure that all of the sharp edges on the product are smooth so that the user is not at risk when using the deck. I will also need to clearly label warning signs.

Size constraintsThroughout this project, my product must be within the constraints of 60cm x 60cm x 60cm.

PerformanceI am aiming for my product to perform like a conventional skateboard but also as a display piece to be used as decoration on walls or skateboard racks.

Target marketThe target market for my product is for skateboarders aged between 15/30 years old.

ReliabilityMy product will be efficient in its use and will provide a lifetime warranty. The deck will be made to be durable and function as expected.

MaterialsI am thinking of using 7-ply wood for my final product, as the material is strong and highly durable and will support the weight of the user effectively.

ConflictI am sure that the deck will not create conflict with another product, as the design is original and none are identical on the market, meaning there will be no plagiarism.

Time scaleThe time scale for my product is up until the 14th of April 2014. In this time, I must completely finish my final product, along with all of the design work.

SustainabilityThe skateboard I am producing will use strong materials, in order to be durable and reliable throughout its lifestyle.

CostI am aiming to produce my final product out of ply wood, preferably 7-ply. I am only planning on creating one version of the product after the prototype stage, in order to keep cost at a minimum.

QA/QCQA using manual methods and computer based software.QC using test-samples and also the use of correct tools.

AestheticsThe deck will have a basic colour scheme, using graphical prints and vinyl stickers suiting to the company house-style.

ErgonomicsMy deck will be designed to similar proportions of the standard sized Penny board and will measure approximately 22 inches in length, by 6 inches in width.

WeightThe weight of my deck must be lightweight in order to ease the mobility of the product.

Life in serviceMy deck will be made with a lifetime guarantee for display and similarly for practical use.

Specification & AnalysisFunction – This skateboard is designed to be used as display or the possibility of practical use. Due to the simplicity of the deck, I plan to go into vast detail with the board graphics and decoration in order to enhance its ability to display. Target Market – The target market for my product is for skateboarders aged between 15/30 years old, as this would be a suitable age for when young people begin to be interested in the sport. People of many ages would also be interested in the sport and purchasing a deck of this style, whether as a deck for beginners or as a collectable, for display.Time Scale – The time scale for my product is up until the 14th of April 2014. In this time, I must completely finish my final product, along with all of the design work, including initial and concept ideas, along with my presentation work. I should have my final product completed – the deck and rack.Aesthetics – The deck will have a basic colour scheme, using graphical prints and vinyl stickers suiting to the company house-style. Alternatively, I may engrave the deck with a graphical design to make it look more sophisticated – using this method would also help retain the design, rather than having the vinyl stickers peel away if they were not correctly applied.Safety – I need to ensure that all of the sharp edges on the product are smooth so that the user is not at risk when using the deck. I will also need to clearly label warning signs so that risks of use are clear and therefore potential users will be aware of any damages.Reliability – My product will be efficient in its use and will provide a lifetime warranty to ensure that the user is guaranteed of the decks use. The deck will also be made to be durable and function as expected, therefore providing the client with a lifetime warranty will further promote confidence in the product.Sustainability – The skateboard I am producing will use strong materials, in order to be durable and reliable throughout its lifetime. I plan to use 7ply maple in order to ensure sustainability and strength – which is usually the material of choice when producing the casual deck.Ergonomics – My deck will be designed to similar proportions of the standard sized Penny board and will measure approximately 22 inches in length, by 6 inches in width. This will keep the deck within the size constraints for this project and will make it compact and enable easy mobility.Size Constraints – Throughout this project, my product must be within the constraints of 60cm x 60cm x 60cm. Luckily, my skateboard deck will stay within the size constraints and will therefore cause no problems.Materials – I am thinking of using 7-ply wood for my final product, as the material is strong and highly durable and will support the weight of the user effectively. This choice of material will further help support the lifetime guarantee which comes alongside the product.Cost – I am aiming to produce my final product out of ply wood, preferably 7-ply. I am only planning on creating one version of the product after the prototype stage, in order to keep cost at a minimum.Weight – The weight of my deck must be lightweight in order to ease the mobility of the product, this will also help ease storage. As long as the skateboard is of a minimal weight, storage will be a sufficient even as a simple design. Performance – I am aiming for my product to perform like a conventional skateboard but also as a display piece to be used as decoration on walls or skateboard racks which I will also produce alongside the deck in order to show a potential form of presentation when showcasing the board as a form of display.Conflict – I am sure that the deck will not create conflict with another product, as the design is original and none are identical on the market, meaning there will be no plagiarism. The design and all of its components are original and have been produced specifically for this deck.QA/QC – QA using manual methods and computer based software. QC using test-samples and also the use of correct tools. Life in Service – My deck will be made with a lifetime guarantee for display purposes, when used on shop floors or on promotional stands and other methods of display. When being practically used to skate, the deck will not have a lifetime guarantee due to the nature of skateboarding.

Specification & EvaluationI intend to design a skateboard deck that would be suitable for practical and display use. I will carry out research on materials and methods of display to ensure that my product is practical at performing well, both indoor and outdoor. I looked at various material choices to research into the most effective ones that I could use. I did this whilst doing my concept ideas as I was able to see what different materials would look like on my designs. From my research, I have decided on using plywood as it is commonly used on for skateboard decks. Plywood is also very cost efficient and easy to get hold of, using this material allows me to paint it or engrave it with whatever design I plan to use.

I plan for my deck to be environmentally friendly, choosing to use materials that can be recycled and will also not harm the environment.

I want my product to be innovative and one of a kind so I will have to do some research to see what is already on the market. This will help me ensure that there are no copyright breaches on current products in the same market and make sure that my design is completely original.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics

167.64mm

361.95mm

172.72mm

807.72mm

215.9mm

Skateboard Rack

Simple flat pack design, made of pine similar to IKEA products in both design and material. Flat packs designed by IKEA are usually made from man-made boards and are used in conjunction with hardwood strips of materials, such as beech (where more structural strength is needed). The material used in most of these units is MDF with a printed plastic laminate veneer and matching edging strip.IKEA flat packs are usually supplied with knock-down fittings, an Allen key and a small quantity of start screws and PVA glue in a sachet. A lot of the fixing kits often use common components that are used across a range of products.IKEA have production policies based on minimalizing waste, environmental designs and EU REACH regulations.

Steam Laminating

The term "laminated" refers to furniture components where the veneer's grain is uni-directional. In "formed plywood" the veneer's grain alternates. Curved components are created when multiple layers of veneer and adhesive are assembled in molds and pressure is applied. A male and female mold is typically used for production of larger quantities of laminated or formed-plywood parts. The mold is constructed from identical layers of routed (or CNC machined) synthetic panel material bolted together like a giant multi-layer sandwich held together with toothpicks.

Steam Bending

Steam bending is a woodworking technique in which wood is heated with steam, using a steam box. When heat is applied, moisture in the steam box makes the wood pliable enough to bend around a mold, creating a shape.The molding process is usually done by clamping the strips of wood to positive form, usually reinforced with a metal band to prevent blowout. Steam bending is limited to the degree in which the wood can bend, particularly for thick wood. The metal band helps the wood withstand these limitations to a certain degree but the wood still weakens slightly and can leave stresses which can still cause breakages or blowouts. The method has been used during the manufacturing process of a wooden boat, when shaping the hull’s ribs and board. Other products can be made using this method, such as violins and wooden furniture.Steam bending uses low energy and is also an ecological and economical method of manipulating wood.

Concept Modelling

Skateboard deck

Materials & ToolsFor this model I have used balsa wood due to its ease of modification and strength. After producing this model, I left it unfinished and diverted polishing it for a better finish as it is only concept and I don’t feel a huge amount of effort needs to be put into this model. As long as I have presented my original idea efficiently then I feel I can benefit from making it to understand any faults or problems that may occur.

Evaluation CommentsThis concept model is an accurate representative of the deck I will be producing, prior to it being steamed and flexed into the conventional skateboarder shape.The design on the base differs from what I have planned, but was produced solely to show the colour scheme that I am hoping to use if using vinyl to present my design.

Description of stage and any problemsMark out the dimensions of the model - such as length and width. These need to be accurate and correct to how I have planned.The balsa wood is difficult to cut as the wood easily frays and splits into fibres. This makes the wood weak and has broke on several occasions.To cut the wood, often used a craft knife, to cut away the layers of the wood. Sometimes this wasn’t effective and I had to use a hack saw.

Wall-mount rack

Materials & ToolsFor this model I have also used balsa wood, this is due to its durability and ease of use. It is easy to modify and especially strong to use on a small model such as this. As this is just a concept, I have not polished the model of for a better finish. I used a sanding disc to sand down the rough edges and round off all of the sharp corners of the model.

Evaluation CommentsThis model has not been much help to me – it is inaccurate and is not how I planned for it to look. The shape is different to my initial idea and has not resulted in the finish that I aimed for.The design also not function as intended and would be very impractical.

Description of stage and any problemsI marked out the dimensions of the wall-mount rack on balsa wood and cut it with a hack saw. I then sanded down the edges to reduce the amount of fraying on the edges that caused splintering.Once all of the parts had been cut and sanded, I assembled them according to my original concept design. I glued them together with a hot glue gun and sanded the components down further to hide the use of glue.

Modelling & TestingDo this.

Modelling & TestingDo this.

Modelling & TestingDo this.

Modelling & TestingDo this.

Making DiaryJob Description & Quality control Material Tools/Equipment Time Taken Health & Safety

1

I started my product by drawing a few sketches to generate ideas that would be suitable for the idea that I would like to follow. This gave me a chance to produce various ideas and cover a range of different angles.

I drew my designs and ideas on A3 paper with fine-writers and coloured pencils for shading.

• A3 paper• Fine-writer• Pencil• Ruler• Coloured pencils

Generating ideas took a couple of hours, before deciding on which idea I wanted to develop further.

2

After analysing my designs, I chose my favourite ideas to develop into the modelling process. In order to make this decision, I analysed the ideas I had produced, based on aesthetics, function and ease of production.

I didn’t require any material during this process.

No tools/equipment was needed.

This took a matter of minutes, as all I had to do was analyse which idea I though was my best design.

3

Once I had chose my favourite designs out of the ideas in which I had previously produced, I started my concept modelling. This would give me a realistic idea of what the final product may resemble.

• Balsa wood• Cardboard

• Scissors• Craft knife• Glue gun• Pencil

In total, this process took a few hours.

4

After finishing the models, I decided on the idea I wanted to producing as my final product. I made the decision based off of my interest in making it, the aesthetics and its function.

No materials were required. No tools/equipment was needed.

Deciding on a final product didn’t take too long, as I had my models to help me decide.

Making DiaryJob Description & Quality control Material Tools/Equipment Time Taken Health & Safety

5

After deciding on my final product design, I created a full scale model of the deck. This helped me visualise what the final piece would look like and allowed me to make appropriate changes.

• Cardboard • Craft knife• Pencil• Tri-square

This took around an hour to produce.

6

Once I had corrected all mistakes on my deck, I began production.Firstly, starting by producing the steam chest, in which the deck would be place inside, within a mould.

No materials were needed as I was simply evaluating my previous work.

No tools/equipment was needed.

This took a matter of minutes to decide on what task to do first when beginning the production of my final product.

7

I began producing my steam chests sides and base using ply – this material was easy to cut accurately and is suitable for its purpose in my product.

• Ply • Bandsaw This process did not take long at all and was around 20 minutes.

8Once I had cut the pieces for the chest, I began assembling it using screws.

• Ply • Screws• Screwdriver

This took around half an hour in total to assemble the body of the chest.

9

All the chest needed now was a top in which the steamer would be clamped too. I measured the area in which the top would go and used the bandsaw to cut it to the measurements I had just taken.

• Ply • Bandsaw This took around an hour overall, including measuring the area in which the top would go and cutting and assembling it to fit.

Making DiaryJob Description & Quality control Material Tools/Equipment Time Taken Health & Safety

10

Once the top was cut, I needed to drill holes in the top in order for the steam to go through and gain access to the ply.I order to do this, I marked on the areas that I would need to drill using a pencil. I drew on the area of the steaming pad on the top of the chest and drew the drill holes accordingly.

• Ply • Pencil• Ruler

This took around 5minutes, as the task was straight forward and simple.

11

Once I had marked all of the holes in which I needed to drill, I drilled them using a 14mm attachment.

• Ply • Drill• 14mm attachment

This took around 10 minutes to complete, as I wanted to take my time and retain accuracy on the marks that I had drawn prior to drilling.

12

The steam chest was complete for now, so I started work on the mould I would be using the shape the deck.In order to produce a male and female part of the mould, I needed quite a large piece of wood – luckily I managed to get hold of a roof joist and used that.Once I had obtained the wood, I marked on the area that needed to be cut. Then using a bandsaw, I cut the shape out.

• Timber • Bandsaw• Pencil• Ruler• Protractor

This process took around an hour overall, marking the decks concave and angles of the kick-tails had to be accurate so took a lot of time. Cutting the wood was quicker and did not require much time.

Making DiaryJob Description & Quality control Material Tools/Equipment Time Taken Health & Safety

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Next, I began to produce the actual skateboard deck. Using Techsoft 2D, I designed a deck to scale, using all of the correct measurements.

• None • Techsoft 2D Design This took around 30 minutes to do and I also learnt some new things about the software.

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After I had produced the deck, I decided on a design that I wanted engraving into the base of the board.After designing a simple silhouette on Adobe Photoshop, I was able to import it into Techsoft 2D design and align it correctly on the deck I had just designed.

• None • Techsoft 2D Design• Adobe Photoshop

This took around 20 minutes to do.

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Once I had converted the work to a DXF file, I was able to launch the design in HPC Laser System 5.3 in order to cut and engrave my specified file.After the cutting and engraving had finished, I had 3 copies of the deck and 1 version of the engraved base.

• Ply • HPC Laser System• Techsoft 2D Design• Laser cutter

This took around 1 hour in total, as the cutting and engraving areas were of a large scale and took around 10 minutes per deck to cut and around 30 minutes to engrave.

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