Correlating Microgeometry to Slicing Mechanics (Continued)

Kern, Richard

Student Work

Correlating Microgeometry to Slicing Mechanics (Continued)

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The objective of this project was to investigate the relationship between ski sharpening method, ski edge geometry, and slicing depth. By investigating ski slicing, our research could provide insight into how different sharpening methods affect the severity of ski laceration injuries. These laceration injuries can be life-threatening. For our research, a ski was cut into segments that were each sharpened with a different method. The ski segments were then measured with a confocal microscope. To quantify the edge geometry for these measurements, both multiscale curvature analysis and power spectral density analysis were applied. To measure slicing performance, an apparatus was designed to slice a section of gelatin with each ski segment. The depth of each resulting slice was measured. The average slicing depth of each edge was then compared between sharpening methods. Additionally, slice depth was compared to the measured curvature across a range of curvature scales.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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