The objectives are to measure the sharpness of the ski, snowboard and skate edges in two fundamental ways: functional and geometric. The intent is to advance the understanding of how the geometry of the edge relates to its performance. These measures could be used for evaluating edges and preparation methods. These measures would be especially important for competition and useful as well in manufacturing and general maintenance. Currently the methods of assessing the sharpness of the edge are qualitative and subjective, relying on tactical sensations. The authors are not aware of any work on measuring the geometry of ski edges or work that relates edge geometry to the resistance to movement parallel or perpendicular to the edge. The performance is to be determined in the lab by a device that applies a predetermined load to a material, like, ice or polyethylene, oriented at a fixed angle to the edge, and then measures load necessary to cause movement perpendicular and parallel to the edge. The geometry is measured and the curvature is calculated as functions of scale and position over the edge. Correlations are determined by linear regression analyses of performance versus curvature as a function of scale
© Copyright 2013 Abstract Book of the 6th International Congress on Science and Skiing, December 14 - 19, 2013 St. Christoph am Arlberg - Austria. Published by University of Salzburg. All rights reserved.