Designing a modular binding system for alpine skiing
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Product development (MPPDE), MSc
Publicerad
2025
Författare
Steninger, Johanna
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The master’s thesis, "Designing a modular binding system for alpine skiing" explores
the development of a versatile ski binding system that allows skiers to exchange
binding parts depending on user preferences. The thesis contains various work procedures
and processes related to the project. The research concerns the collection
and interpretation of information obtained through patent research, market research,
interviews, brainstorming, and the narrowing down of ideas, and a conceptualization
phase to be able to design a digital model of a modular alpine binding system for
skiing.
The project stems from Alpine skiing being a popular sport that can be performed
in various ways. The skier can ski downhill in the ski resorts, off-piste, and tour up
the mountain (ski-touring). Within these styles of skiing, there are also different
levels of skiing depending on skill, some extreme examples are alpine race skiing,
park skiing, and freeriding. Nowadays many skiers are very versatile and ski in
many different ways, hence bindings that also enable ski-touring have been available
on the market for some time. In recent years the ski-touring aspect of skiing has
grown increasingly popular. The options on the market are either expensive or a
trade-off compared to a specified binding for a specific purpose dedicated to skiing
downhill in the resorts, skiing off-piste, or solely dedicated to ski-touring. The
interest in a modular binding system has therefore grown, a modular binding can
provide a dedicated binding for either choice of skiing as the binding parts could
be exchanged to best meet the demands placed on it for different types of skiing
without compromising the performance of the binding.
Provided the methodology used in the study, existing solutions and gaps in the
market could be analyzed, and a digital model of a modular alpine binding system
was developed using CATIA software (Computer-Aided-Design). The concept was
iteratively refined and evaluated through prototyping, assembly, and testing of 3Dprinted
components, to ensure its feasibility.
The findings of this study indicate that the modular binding system offers increased
versatility with attachable and detachable binding parts, making it possible for users
to use a single platform for multiple types of binding systems to accommodate their
various needs. However, challenges remain in material selection to achieve a balance
between weight, durability, and performance, as well as real-world testing of the
prototype to ensure safety standards and reliability. The study concludes that the
proof of concept is feasible and has the potential to transition into a commercial
product. The modular binding system could offer skiers greater flexibility while
maintaining high performance and safety, however further work is needed regarding
refinements of technical aspects, real-world testing of functionality and performance,
and exploration of the product scalability. The research provides a solid foundation
for future development of the modular binding system that can bridge the market
gaps without compromising the performance of the modular binding system.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Modular, design, alpine-skiing, binding-system, ski-touring, off-piste,