Design of a lightweight skateboard truck: a framework for optimizing sports equipment under real conditions

Pfister F, Bartz M, Wartzack S (2025)


Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2025

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Series: Proceedings of the Design Society

Book Volume: 5

Pages Range: 1205-1214

Conference Proceedings Title: Proceedings of the Design Society

DOI: 10.1017/pds.2025.10134

Abstract

Skateboards used in competitive events such as the Olympic Games are sophisticated products that have remained largely unchanged for over four decades. This presents an opportunity for improvement in the form of reduced weight and moment of inertia, while maintaining comparable stiffness to the most popular skateboard truck currently in use. To achieve this, topology optimization was employed with consideration of real-world loads, which are inherent to street skating. To ensure a reliable and predictable handling, a re-engineering of the benchmark truck was used. To assess the impact of weight reduction on the overall system, all skateboard components were modelled and assembled to compare the center of mass and moment of inertia with the benchmark. Following the virtual validation, the skateboard truck was printed via SLS with a weight reduction of 19 % compared to the benchmark.

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How to cite

APA:

Pfister, F., Bartz, M., & Wartzack, S. (2025). Design of a lightweight skateboard truck: a framework for optimizing sports equipment under real conditions. In Proceedings of the Design Society (pp. 1205-1214). Cambridge University Press.

MLA:

Pfister, Felix, Marcel Bartz, and Sandro Wartzack. "Design of a lightweight skateboard truck: a framework for optimizing sports equipment under real conditions." Proceedings of the Proceedings of the Design Society Cambridge University Press, 2025. 1205-1214.

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