Development

The story behind the SKIMATERIA method

SKIMATERIA has developed sickles, grooving tools, brushes and other products for skis to glide optimally. Behind these products is research in tribology in collaboration with Uppsala University. SKIMATERIA delivers its products and contributes its expert knowledge to, among others, the Swedish cross-country ski team and Team Tynell.

NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SKIS THANKS TO RESEARCH

In order for skis to glide easily, the active sliding surfaces of the coatings need to be made smooth, at the micrometer level, as current research shows. Smooth sliding surfaces are needed regardless of whether the skis are walled or not and regardless of whether they have a structure or not.

Smooth sliding surfaces can be achieved in different ways. Doing a good basic work with the skis is the most important thing and applying a sliding wall is less important if the ski has smooth sliding surfaces with a good structure.

SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SICKLES FOR SMOOTH CONTACT SURFACES ON THE SKI COVER

SKIMATERIA has together with, among others, Ronnie Löf, an elite-level skier and professor Sture Hogmark , a researcher at Uppsala University, has developed sickles that provide optimally smooth contact surfaces on the skis' linings. The secret is to deburr and polish the sickle's edges. The sickles also need to be made of the right material to maintain shape and sharpness for a long time.

Completely smooth coatings, however, rarely work well. This is important to know. It is normally required that the skis have a combination of smooth contact surfaces and a structure adapted to the ski guide.

DEGREE WORK AROUND SICKLES

SKIMATERIA has in collaboration with Uppsala University carried out a degree project in tribology . Equipment was then developed to test and evaluate the friction and function of the ski coating against different types of snow and ice.

Tribology is the study of how surfaces interact in contact with each other. There is a lot of theoretical knowledge behind the seemingly simple measures that make the sickle work so well. In his research, Sture Hogmark has been able to explain why the ski coating, and thus also the sickle's edge, must be significantly smoother than the products on the market today.

COOPERATION WITH THE SWEDISH SKI COUNTRY TEAM

To improve and modify the tools used in the preparation of ski coatings, SKIMATERIA has for a number of years collaborated with Swedish national ski team . We deliver products and contribute our expertise to the national team during the contract period. As a result of this collaboration, SKIMATERIA is a member of Cross Country SKI TEAM Sweden .

PATENT

SKIMATERIA now has an approved patent for the scraper (No. SE 531 634 C2). The project is financially supported by Innovationsbron Uppsala.