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 San
Clemente, CA. (BUSINESS WIRE), One of the time consuming problems
for PowerSki’s
design team has been the ability to actually take what’s
been created in PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER
software and apply it to the real world of testing without having
to outsource it to companies for rapid prototyping and testing.
This process costs PowerSki thousands of dollars and most importantly
time. Sending the Pro/ENGINEER
files and having prototype parts made, takes several weeks to
complete. On top of that, if there are any adjustments needed,
this process is again repeated. A solution for this was found
during our visit to SIGGRAPH
2005 here in Los Angeles.
 Bob
Mackay, Director of Marketing and Communications for PowerSki
International Corp., came in contact with several different
vendors that provide design solutions for Rapid Prototyping and
James Dieroff of TekPro
Group in Lake Forest, CA stepped up and stated his company
has the solution for our needs. The process involved is called
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and extrudes ABS plastic in precise
layers to create a fully functional model.
 Maciej
Lisiak, Design Engineer for PowerSki
International Corp., states, “We needed to equip our
Jetboards with an Airbox, a specially designed breather box that
will prevent water intrusions into the engine while at the same
time allow the engine to breathe freely. The whole design process
started in the computer utilizing our HP
workstations and PTC’s
Pro/ENGINEER software, once we felt the design was complete
it was saved as a STL file and then emailed to James Dieroff and
the TekPro Group who
then completed the Rapid Prototype of the new AIRBOX using the
 Dimension
3D printer. James explains “the whole process is really
simple, the file is simply loaded into the computer and hit print.
It’s as easy as that.” James then added, “The
Deminsion 3D Printer builds parts quickly by jetting photopolymers
in super fine layers down to 16 microns for a smooth finish and
high resolution. The Polyjet technology uses environmentally stable,
fully cured materials for safe non-toxic use in office environments.
There is no need for special venting, facility modifications,
post processing and anyone can use it.”
 It
was a great experience for the design and engineering team at
PowerSki. Majeic
continued with “the entire part was created in ABS plastic
in about 30 hours and allowed us to place the part into the jetboard
for immediate testing. This is the perfect way for PowerSki
to accelerate the design process of the Jetboard and other upcoming
projects.” Bob Montgomery, CEO of
PowerSki International Corp., said, “This 3D SRP technology
can increase the efficiency of design, using the files from Pro/ENGINEER
software, rapid prototyping parts in house can now be tested for
fit and functionality in the real world within 1 to 2 days, as
it is capable of completing projects unattended after normal working
hours.” Bob then states, “We are currently in negotiations
to implement this technology into
PowerSki’s future product development.
Powerski International
Corporation is prepared to take block orders of the
high-rate production PowerSki Jetboard™ Igniter
360™. Please contact PowerSki
International for more details.
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