 The Makboard is the only snowboard that is made from one material, has a clear appearance, and is 100 percent recyclable. |
The latest thing to hit the ski slopes is an innovative new snowboard with eye-catching styling and unique construction characteristics.
The Makboard™ is a clear, soft flex snowboard made of Makrolon® 3103 polycarbonate resin from Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS). The Makboard is the only snowboard that is made from one material, has a clear appearance, and is 100 percent recyclable.
The Makboard has a concave bottom design referred to as “Flow-Thru Technology.” The concave feature channels snow through two slots in the tail, allowing the board to stabilize in the powder which provides effortless turns.
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“It is like nothing you have ever experienced, the soft flex and huge camber make you feel like you are riding a surfboard in powder,” says Makboard inventor Bob Candler.
There are no metal edges to rust or break from impact the Makrolon resin can be sharpened with a standard file to enhance edge control on hard pack snow.
 There are no metal edges to rust or break from impact the Makrolon resin can be sharpened with a standard file to enhance edge control on hard pack snow. |
“We chose Makrolon polycarbonate from the start because of its amazing performance in proven applications, as well as its flexibility and clarity,” says Candler, who has perfected the board for over 10 years with the assistance of his cousin, Bob Ryan. “The material performs exceptionally well, and the Makboard is a prime example of the ‘miracles of Makrolon’ in our everyday lives. Compared with standard snowboards that end up in landfills all over the globe by the millions, the Makboard is 100 percent recyclable, which gives people the option of living “green.”
There are other advantages as well. The Makboard won’t delaminate like standard-construction snowboards, and delivers a smooth ride with less chatter. Due to the tri-hulled bottom of the board, it is more stable than traditional boards when carving turns or going straight.
Standard snowboards do not have this feature and, therefore, can be especially difficult to control when going straight. Furthermore, the Makboard absorbs the shock of bumps on the trail, resulting in a ride that is easier on the snowboarder’s knees and body than a ride with a traditional snowboard.
The Makboard is molded by A.L.P Lighting Components which specializes in processing clear thermoplastic materials. According to the company, the board’s features include:
- 62 inches (157 cm) in length, weighing nine pounds, seven ounces.
- Thickness ranging from one-half inch to one-quarter inch.
- A cycle time of approximately five minutes.
In a secondary operation following molding, 16 inserts are installed to hold the board’s bindings in place.
According to Director of Operations Tim DeYoung, Makrolon 3103 polycarbonate resin has performed very well in the injection molding of the Makboard.
“The Makboard creators chose Bayer’s Makrolon polycarbonate material for its toughness and design flexibility, but also for the excellent technical support provided by Bayer MaterialScience,” says Kevin Dunay, BMS market segment leader for consumer and medical. “To meet the high-performance demands Bob envisioned for the Makboard, Bayer tested numerous inserts to hold the bindings, provided design and molding recommendations, and conducted extensive structural and mold-filling analyses.”
For more information about Bayer’s Makrolon polycarbonate, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.