Off Course – Is 3D Printing One of the Biggest Innovation Leaps?

[Canadan]

I have done a lot of 3D printing for various machine design prototyping - all kinds of plastic and metal ... thing is 3D printed part will never be as strong as a diecast or a forged metal part. if one has large quantity of parts needed - 3D printing can't compete for cost in injection molding or forging die parts. it is a very slow process.

I have a few questions about this, mostly as it relates to relevancy..

1- Who is saying that 3DP irons are currently intending to compete with the cheapest irons on the market? Other companies have irons in various price ranges as well, limited and in line.

2- We've had Yags on numerous times to discuss 3DP, and the way these are designed, they have been tested for durability and in many ways are showing as more durable than many of the hollow body options out there - not to mention some of the alternative material faces on the market. Where's the concern for those?

3- During the pod (which it seems you're not particularly interested in, no big deal), Mike noted that there is a significant ramp up from places looking to 3D print. The process isn't particularly fast, I'll give you that, but it's definitely improving and if I had to guess, will likely continue to improve.

 

[Templet0n]

It’s going to be so much fun to see where they (Cobra) take this, being at the front of it all.

My brain was spinning at the ideas.. crazy awesome utility irons. Players irons that are more than players irons. When do woods get involved? Etc etc..

 

[JB]

My brain was spinning at the ideas.. crazy awesome utility irons. Players irons that are more than players irons. When do woods get involved? Etc etc..

Outside of pieces, woods would be tough to do currently. Weight would be a concern would dealing with such thin designs

 

[Wonger]

My brain was spinning at the ideas.. crazy awesome utility irons. Players irons that are more than players irons. When do woods get involved? Etc etc..

Right? If we only knew some of the things that they are working on or some of the things that never fully make it.

 

[Mark_UK]

My crown was 3D printed whilst I sat in the dentists chair. If they can 3D print a tooth, I have no doubt a club head can be 3D printed.

 

[Templet0n]

Outside of pieces, woods would be tough to do currently. Weight would be a concern would dealing with such thin designs

Sure. But there are potential applications I am sure. I one way or another. I am not really suggesting full 3D printed heads. While I can be done and I know it is done in a design aspect. Even parts of the head being 3D printed could open doors.

 

[Canadan]

My brain was spinning at the ideas.. crazy awesome utility irons. Players irons that are more than players irons. When do woods get involved? Etc etc..

One of the things that makes the 3DP stuff so interesting in the player irons is that you're taking massive percentages of weight away from areas without diminishing the durability and feedback performance of it. Not sure you're going to get the same level of benefit out of something like a UT because there's already a lot of hollow going on.

 

[Templet0n]

One of the things that makes the 3DP stuff so interesting in the player irons is that you're taking massive percentages of weight away from areas without diminishing the durability and feedback performance of it. Not sure you're going to get the same level of benefit out of something like a UT because there's already a lot of hollow going on.

I get that. I am not smart enough to even pretend I know anything about this. I am just thinking it potentially opens all kids of doors.

 

[Templet0n]

@Canadan

I guess my real point is I am just not trying to put them in a box and say. Well, because of this, they can’t do that..

 

[Canadan]

I get that. I am not smart enough to even pretend I know anything about this. I am just thinking it potentially opens all kids of doors.

I think it's easier than you're letting it be.

We've seen companies use all kinds of material in the center of a CB or MB iron to try and get more weight on the perimeter. Filled polymers, lighter metals... all with the goal of getting that weight to the outside to increase MOI and make them just that much more hittable away from dead nuts.

Cobra has simply introduced a TOTALLY different way to do it without diminishing what matters on performance and feel/presentation.

 

[JB]

I think it's easier than you're letting it be.

We've seen companies use all kinds of material in the center of a CB or MB iron to try and get more weight on the perimeter. Filled polymers, lighter metals... all with the goal of getting that weight to the outside to increase MOI and make them just that much more hittable away from dead nuts.

Cobra has simply introduced a TOTALLY different way to do it without diminishing what matters on performance and feel/presentation.

And introduce an internal structure unlike anything done previously

 

[Canadan]

@Canadan

I guess my real point is I am just not trying to put them in a box and say. Well, because of this, they can’t do that..

what I love about innovation, is that the needle gets moved every time a new material/concept comes into play. So these companies can adapt to what has worked and bring out their own version of the madness.

Think about moving from wood to metal.
Think about moving from metal to carbon crowns.

Things flat out change the game at times. It'll be fun to see at the player level, if this is where 3DP is headed.

 

[Canadan]

And introduce an internal structure unlike anything done previously

the whole "push vs pull" discussion on the last pod absolutely shattered my brain.

I'll never look at a bridge the same again haha

 

[Templet0n]

what I love about innovation, is that the needle gets moved every time a new material/concept comes into play. So these companies can adapt to what has worked and bring out their own version of the madness.

Think about moving from wood to metal.
Think about moving from metal to carbon crowns.

Things flat out change the game at times. It'll be fun to see at the player level, if this is where 3DP is headed.

Exactly

 

[Canadan]

Also, @Templet0n - I really REALLY appreciate the 'thinking out loud' in here.

It makes the podcast carryover discussion really work, and I am grateful to you for it.

 

[Templet0n]

I am kinda wondering who jumps into the deep end of the pool next?

 

[Templet0n]

Also, @Templet0n - I really REALLY appreciate the 'thinking out loud' in here.

It makes the podcast carryover discussion really work, and I am grateful to you for it.

Always. These podcasts are fun. I told @JB that the clothing one a few weeks ago before I started it I didn’t think I would be that interested as I am not the biggest golf fashion or clothing guy. Boy was I wrong. I love how all these discussions get me thinking.

Speaking of that. My fav moment may have been with @Master Yagley said. Hold on, I need to write down an idea before I forgot”. Made me laugh while I was listening while running. Lol

 

[Canadan]

I am kinda wondering who jumps into the deep end of the pool next?

I bet it's subtle, but I have to think it happens.

Remember when Cobra came out with the F9 driver and had a Carbon wrap to save more discretionary weighting when most were just doing a crown? Think about how many drivers have carbon all the way down on the sole now..

 

[Canadan]

Always. These podcasts are fun. I told @JB that the clothing one a few weeks ago before I started it I didn’t think I would be that interested as I am not the biggest golf fashion or clothing guy. Boy was I wrong. I love how all these discussions get me thinking.

Speaking of that. My fav moment may have been with @Master Yagley said. Hold on, I need to write down an idea before I forgot”. Made me laugh while I was listening while running. Lol

We'll have to bug him in a year or so to see if whatever he wrote down will become a thing.

I need him to sign that napkin and send it to me haha

 

[JB]

I bet it's subtle, but I have to think it happens.

Remember when Cobra came out with the F9 driver and had a Carbon wrap to save more discretionary weighting when most were just doing a crown? Think about how many drivers have carbon all the way down on the sole now..

The next version of that driver was quite popular but exactly the same other than the logo said Taylormade

 

[Jman]

My brain was spinning at the ideas.. crazy awesome utility irons. Players irons that are more than players irons. When do woods get involved? Etc etc..

Utilities could be INSANE.

The Limit3d 4i is the easiest to hit long iron I’ve ever used in a set of this profile size.

 

[Templet0n]

We'll have to bug him in a year or so to see if whatever he wrote down will become a thing.

I need him to sign that napkin and send it to me haha

Yes!! Do that. Get your name on the patent somehow..

 

[Templet0n]

Utilities could be INSANE.

The Limit3d 4i is the easiest to hit long iron I’ve ever used in a set of this profile size.

I am thinking something forged face and 3D printed body and neck. So the face is strong enough but there is some crazy stuff on the inside. Or a hybrid that has the left ball taken out. Etc etc etc.. there are limitations that can potentially be finally overcome.

 

[shanewu]

Great episode! Yags’ excitement for the innovation currently on the market and what’s under development is awesome. I really want to hit the 3DP Tours and luckily there is one fitter here that supposedly has them!

 

[CorvetteGuy]

very confused.
while I do have a 3-D printer, we are talking about completely different things. In this instance, the creator of these golf clubs is discussing what the future looks like (and the present since Cobra has 3d printed irons and putters) which is why I recommended taking a look or listen.

considering that this thread is all about that interview

Ok my bad - I thought the topic was about 3D printing.. sorry .. it is the interview. misunderstood. please accept my apology,