Advancement in Skis Manufacturing - Research Paper Example

Before engaging in any business venture, entrepreneurs take time to learn and conduct research on the requirements,history, and the potential of the business. Thorough research and understanding helps the business in defining its capacity and potential to meet the prevailing needs. In the same manner, getting into the manufacturing of snow skis will require that the company understands the pros and cons related to the business. With the increased demand for skiing equipment there is needed to capitalize on the opportunity (Crystal ski 3). A number of companies mainly in United States and Europe are currently producing Snow skis. Throughout the history, various materials have been used in making of skis and advancement continues to be seen. Skis manufacturing have a long history. Based on archeological studies, a wooden ski was first identified in at Lake Sindor in Russia, the skiing equipment was dated to have been in use between 6300 and 5000 BC.(Burov 393). This is the earliest evidence involving the use of skis. Apart from artifacts of skis, many historical drawings and paintings have shown skiing activities where individuals use the skis. Ski construction started becoming dominant in the end of nineteenth century especially in Austria and Switzerland (Classic skis 1). The architecture of these early alpine skis was simple but they were wide and short. These characteristics enabled the skis to have high agility, hence capable of the ability to penetrate areas with deep snow and elevated areas. Since these early times, the designs, shape and the materials used in making skis has continued to diversify. Different types of wood have been used in the construction of the skis, varying from wood, plastics, metals or a blend of the three. The main materials in making of skis have been wood for the better part of the twentieth century. Different wooden materials have been in use depending on the place where the skis are located. Today some companies have retained the use of wood but the technology seems not attract many of the skiers. The initial wooden skis were curved using hands, to make simple skis (Wooden skis 1). In the modern setup, this design has completely changed with the adoption of a torsion box architecture that is more sophisticated and requires additional materials to make. Because of the water-properties of wood, other materials have taken its place. This has created limited use of wood in the modern context. Skis are simple skiing equipment but they are made up several parts. It is important that a ski buyer is familiar with it in order to get the best ski for the desired skiing. The base is the part of a ski that has direct contact with or faces the ground surface. Most of the skis’ bases in the modern times are made of aluminum or fiberglass. The camber is space that is evident at below the centre of the ski. Contact points are the positions of attachment between the ski and the snow without the rider imparting pressure on it. The waist is the part of the ski that is narrowest, usually appearing at the centre of the side cut. Other parts of the ski include the top or otherwise called the deck where the bindings are placed. It also has the effective edge, the tip, the shovel, and the side cut (ABC of Skiing 1). Various categories of the modern day skis are manufactured depending on the material used. The classic wooden skis are curved using hands; they are long and have thin sides, an aberration from the original design. In addition, they have a rectangular shape but have a curve in one of the ends. Another form of skis was advanced to use steel, these are the so-called edges, and their architecture varies because of the screwed steel at its bottom. Wood and metal laminates have also been developed, the wooden laminate involves pieces of wood that are glued together, and these are flexible, stiff and are lighter. Metal laminates were initially made of aluminum but proved inefficient; they had to blend aluminum with wood. Advancing with the technology the fiberglass laminates were developed around mid-twentieth century to cover up the weaknesses of wood and aluminum. The designs continue to be advanced every now and then. Characteristics of skis have been developed to improve on their stiffness. Stiffness is very important in enhancing the flexibility, versatility, and precision in different types of snowy conditions. For smooth services, the design has been developed to add narrower waists (Bryden 10-20). Skis come in many types according to the specific requirements. There are the reverse camber skis, these have a different design since they lacks the convectional camber shape like that is different from other skis. Their tails as well as the tips have a curve while the waist is often flat or have camber in some situations. These are the most technologically advanced skis. Custom skis are tailored according to the owners’ specific needs, they request for skis made from certain materials and with a certain degree of flex. Another type is the cross-country skis that have a small side cut and are narrow and light. Twin tip skis have a characteristic ability that facilitates skiing backwards, they are customized with both ends being turned up, a property that facilitates backward movement. For a successful ski construction, there are several requirements that must be availed. With the right equipment, ski making is a simple activity. The manufacturing may differ with technology but the basic process is similar. Safety glasses are required to prevent any damage to the eyes, it is important that they be worn at all times in the workshop. A mask can also be necessary to prevent inhalation of wood particles and other harmful agents. A router is required for shaping the materials used in ski making such as plastic and wood. A drill and bits are also necessary, because screws are used to bind pieces together, this equipment is necessary in drilling holes for the screws. For smoothing the wood cores and the mold surfaces for the ski, a pair of sanders is required. A jigsaw is also an important tool because it helps in cutting curves in plastics as well as in wooden materials. For ripping of the wood and cutting sections of ski’s core, a table saw is used. In order to enhance the bending of material, a torch is used for heating. Clamps are used for holding work surfaces together while the air compressor maintains pressure of the ski press’ bladder. Apart from these tools some equipments are required, these are, ski press, core profiler and edge blender (Ski builders 1). Ski construction process involves a number of steps. Firstly, it is important the maker come up with a design of the type of ski required. In designing a ski some factors come into play, these are, the materials to be used, the dimensions of the ski, its stiffness and flex, the curves developed, and camber among others. Preparation of the materials follows, firstly materials for the base are prepared to the designed length and shape. The core precedes the base, it is a common practice that the core is developed using vertically laminated wood. Profiling of the core is done to achieve the desirable dimensions while tip spacers, sidewalls, and inserts are embedded on the core. The next step involves the preparation and fixing of the composite material that includes fiberglass (ABC of Skiing 1). A protective layer on the ski is made on the top; this layer is called the top sheet. The final step involves pressing of the ski, this process involves alignment of the materials in an orderly manner in the mold and pressed together to finalize the process of ski making. Pressing usually takes eight to twelve hours after which the edges of the skis are trimmed accordingly. With the advancements seen in the world today, leisure activities have taken a position in economic growth. It is expected that with the emergence of stronger economies, there is projected increase in the need for skiing. The establishment of a ski-making factory is a remedy to meeting the demand. Austria, America, Slovenia, France, and Germany have all established ski-making factories but the demand remains unmet (Crystal ski 5). However, the climate change being experienced poses some threat to the future of the industry. Despite the uncertainty, the winter season has continued to attract massive skiing fanatics. To continue capturing the arising markets, our company should consider establishing the ski-making factory. The cost of developing and maintaining a ski-making industry is not very high. The only expenses that should be well considered are the initial capital; the tools and equipment to be acquired require a worthwhile capital input. The equipments are easy to operate, therefore the company may engage in hiring individuals with minimal experience who will not cost the company a great fortune. Once the machines are in place the cost of maintenance is low. It is apparent that some of the saws can serve in multiple areas hence covering up for other tools. The labor requirements are low, providing an opportunity to maximize on profits. Raw materials are readily available, America prides in provision of quality wood from its extensive forests. The cost of other materials also varies; aluminum is a cheap metal that can effectively make skis that can generate some worthwhile income (Corrocher and Guerzoni 7-10). Works Cited ABC of Skiing. Skis- anatomy and construction. 2003-2012. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://www.abc-of-skiing.com/skis/anatomy-and-construction.asp ABC of Skiing. Skis- Parts and Features. 2003-2012. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://www.abc-of-skiing.com/whatareskis.asp Bryden, Allysum. From Tip to tail: A brief history of ski equipment.1998.p. 9-22. Web. 21 Nov, 2013 http://www.archiveaspen.org/documents/FromTiptoTailsearchable.pdf Burov, Grigori. "Mesolithic Wood Artefacts from the Site of Vis I in the European North-east of the USSR". The Mesolithic in Europe, p. 392–395.1985. Classic skis. Wooden skis brands and manufacturers. 2012-2013. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://www.woodenskis.com/classic_brands.htm Corrocher, Nicoletta and Guerzoni, Marco. Variety Generation and Price Evolution in The Ski Manufacturing Industry. 2007. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://www.dime-eu.org/files/active/0/Jena-2007-10_corrocherguerzoni.pdf Crystal ski. Ski industry Report 2013. 2013. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://mag.digitalpc.co.uk/fvx/crystal/sir2013/sir2013_opf_files/pdfs/sir2013__.pdf Mechanics of sport. Ski construction. 2007-2013. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/equipment/skis/ski_construction.html Ski builders. Ski building: Overview. 2004-2011. Web. 21 Nov, 2013. http://skibuilders.com/howto/ Wooden skis. News and Information. 2010-2012. Web. 21 Nov, 2013 http://www.woodenskis.com/ Read More