Written by: ‘M’
Sure, electric skateboards may be getting faster and lighter, but does that mean they’re getting cheaper? No. To fix that, Electric Bubblegum raises the bar with a new sleek design!
Introducing the Bubble Gum Board! 
For all of you skateboarders out there, amateur and professional alike:
- The Bubblegum board is an electric skateboard with 3D-printable components, meaning not only is it initially cheaper to produce, but users can keep their ride in working order by printing out new parts as required.
- The Bubblegum board can travel a cruise speed of 20 miles an hour!
- Weighs 12.1 lb (5.5 kg), the new 27-inch (69 cm) Bubblegum board is on par with the more lighter boards such as the Boosted Board and the Marbel Board!
- Can travel up to 10 (16 km) on a single charge!
Easy Production
These performance specifications will be enough to pique the interest of those looking for a last-mile transport solution. But the real strength of the Bubblegum board lies in its method of production. The printable ABS parts include casing and pulleys, with all files needed to 3D-print replacements or new color combinations shipped out to users on a USB stick.
Durability
This does bring into question the skateboard’s durability, though the team claims to have undertaken rigorous testing over around 120 miles (193 km) of riding. The team says the board, printed parts and electronics are “really holding up well,” and that the electronic components are well protected from puddles and splashes of water. Throttle, braking and cruise control are driven by a trusty old Wii Nunchuck remote, which wirelessly communicates with the Arduino board built into the underside of the deck. This plastic casing also houses a LiFePO4 battery pack, with charge time taking around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Next Step: Donate!
The next step for the team is to raise funds for production on Kickstarter. With pledges set at $550 USD for a complete board, the campaign is looking to attract 100 backers to meet its lofty goal of $55,000, just under $10,000 of which has been raised at the time of writing. Boards are set to ship in March 2015 if everything goes to plan. Beefed up models with dual electric motor, higher top speed and range of 15 miles (25 km) are also available, with pledges set at $1,300. There is still a ways to go before the Bubblegum board hits the streets, but this proposed price tag makes it one of the cheaper electric skateboards we have come across, without compromising on key specs such as speed and range (the Marbel Board can be pre-ordered for $1,299, while the Boosted Board is available for $1,995). At the very least, the Bubblegum board concept serves as a glimpse into the potential of 3D printing, as widespread access to cheap manufacturing promises to reduce costs in all kinds of new places.
____________________________________________________________
Source:
http://www.gizmag.com/electric-bubblegum-skateboard-3d-printed-parts/34035/
