3D printed fins

[Weasels wake]

I "borrowed" this thread from a windsurfing site I frequent, found it very intriguing.
http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27176&sid=5b1cdec741532dbdd3a042301da9ac27

Then I thought about the possibility of 3D printing paddle blades, whoa, anybody tried it?
As in the fins, some real strength would have to be incorporated somehow.

[blackeye]

3D output might make a good plug to then craft the tool/mold for composite layup of parts such as blades, fins and doo-hickeys.

[Glowmaster]

CNC fins in windsurf and SUP are common now. My Makani Kawa is CNC cut. Seems like it is better in this case to remove high strength material than build up lower strength plastics.  At high speed CNC cut fins make a huge difference in windsurf fins.  Not sure about lower speeds like SUP, but it cant hurt.


Ed

[PonoBill]

I've thought about it a couple of times--yet another project. I haven't even unboxed my laser 3d printer after shipping it back from Maui.

There's no strength issue for a SUP fin, especially for flat water. If there were it would be simple enough to design the fin as a core and bag a layer of carbon on it. Biggest problem is bed size. For my printers I'd have to do the fin vertically or at 45 degrees and that's a time sink. But then who cares. The printers are idle anyway.