look what we did!
Category: Athletics
Polyurethane Holds & the Future of Climbing
The sport of rock climbing has grown in popularity in recent years, and it is easy to see why. It can provide a great way to get into shape, and thanks to rise of indoor climbing facilities, climbers are no longer at the mercy of the elements to get in a climbing session.
Plus, the sport is highly customizable thanks to highly individualized polyurethane climbing holds. All skill levels – from weekend warriors to lifelong professional climbers – can be accommodated.
Polyurethane Takes Hold
Polyurethane is the essential ingredient in the creation of these holds, which often are the oddly-shaped, brightly-colored objects seen dotting the face of climbing walls. The holds are meant to mimic the edges of a rock face that a climber might use to propel him or herself up the side of a mountain or cliff.
Polyurethane holds come in many shapes and sizes. Often a hold for a beginner may be large enough to accommodate the climber’s entire hand. For expert climbers, holds tend to be smaller and are often more jagged, meant to only be held by a finger or just a few toes. Hundreds of holds can populate a single climbing wall. Having an abundance that are differently shaped and sized is essential to the popularity of a new wall by climbers.
3D Printed Polyurethane Holds
In a bid to create further-customized holds, some enterprising enthusiasts of the sport have started producing their own through 3D printing. To create these custom grips, the user must create and print a thermoplastic polyurethane mold. Once created, the mold is then filled with a polyurethane resin that is allowed to harden to a finish strong enough to support the weight of a climber. Upon completion, the hold is popped out of the mold and is ready for application or to be further customized through sanding or painting. Best of all, the 3D-printed custom molds are reusable.
A Polyurethane Future for the Sport
In just the span of a few decades, climbing has gone from a fringe pastime for adrenaline junkies to a mainstream sport with international competitions. Enthusiasts have polyurethane in part to thank for its role in the mainstreaming of climbing.
Related Articles
As you travel in a car, bus, or train you might not give much thought to the windows and windshields…Read more
The Annual Polyurethane Innovation Award Each year, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry presents the Polyurethane Innovation Award. This honor…Read more
Name: Norman Su Age: 33 Title: New Business Development Manager Company: Huntsman Educational Background: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Business Minor, Cornell…Read more
Homeowners today are looking to maximize every square inch of their living space. As we find ourselves not just eating…Read more
As readers of this blog know, 3D printing has helped revolutionize the design and manufacturing of everything from housing to…Read more
Planning an outdoor adventure? Here are 10 items to be sure to bring for maximum comfort and fun, all thanks…Read more
Have you ever thought about what makes the seats, armrests, or headrests in your car so comfortable? What is keeping…Read more
3D printing with polyurethane is showing up in one of the most unlikely of places — baseball gloves. Baseball gloves…Read more
Fresh air, delicious food, good times — there’s a lot to love about picnic season. Thanks to polyurethane, you can…Read more
Name: Brandon Parks Age: 34 Title: Senior Scientist Company: Covestro Educational Background: BS Chemistry – Lebanon Valley College BS Biochemistry…Read more
Wheat is one of the most widely grown crops on the planet, and it’s no wonder why. Wheat is a…Read more
Replacing an existing roof can be expensive and time consuming, especially when the goal is to cover tens of thousands…Read more
Name: Stephen MartinAge: 33Title: Technical ManagerCompany: BASF CorporationEducational Background: B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan Like many young…Read more
With fall in full swing, football season is here. As your favorite teams take to the field this autumn, you…Read more
You likely know that cornhole is a favorite pastime at backyard barbecues and tailgates. But, you might be surprised to…Read more
You’ve heard of renewable energy sources like the wind and the sun, but what about a stretchy battery powered by…Read more
When it comes to spending a leisurely summer day out on the water, polyurethane plays many important roles. For example,…Read more
From the cars we drive to the mattresses we sleep on, polyurethane touches upon multiple aspects of day-to-day living —…Read more
As a young man growing up in Mexico, Jorge Vazquez says he was always curious about the world around him…Read more
This summer, we will come together in celebration and competition to crown top athletes from around the world. As these…Read more