3D Printing of Full-Scale Rowing Boat
Problem statement
As the coach of your collegiate crew program, you find it especially important to provide a means for your rowers to get repetitions on the water and be familiar with the balance of the shell. However, with budget constraints, the number of shells you can provide your athletes with for practice is extremely limited. Traditionally manufactured single shells start at fifteen hundred to fifteen thousand dollars due to current manufacturing techniques that are cumbersome and time consuming[1]. The goal of our project is to provide crew coaches boats at a cost that is tenfold less than traditional boats through means of 3D printing. Additionally, using 3D modeling software that is integrated into the additive manufacturing process, allows the shell designers to make fine adjustments between iterations. It is important to keep in mind additive manufacturing with polymers has its drawbacks in relation to the available print volume, surface finishes, and water permeability. We plan to determine reliable joining and surface finishing techniques to ensure the performance of the hull is not diminished by printing the boat in sections. Overall, we plan to show that by 3D printing rowing shells, they can be produced quicker, cheaper, and with greater variability. [1] meredith, “Getting Started On Water: Buying a Single and Sculls,” Concept2, May 11, 2020. https://www.concept2.com/news/getting-started-water-buying-single-and-sculls (accessed Feb. 17, 2022).
Team members
John Steinbergs – leader
Ethan Foley – communicator
Jack Zacher – accountant
Maggie Nunn – admin
Client
Grant James, ME Alumni