Bristol digital engineering specialists The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS) is helping a former soldier realise his Paralympic dream after designing the world’s first 3D-printed snowboard bindings.
Double above-the-knee (DAK) amputee Darren Swift – also known as Swifty – lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Northern Ireland while serving with the British Army. 
Following a successful test of the bindings, pictured right and below, Swifty is now embarking on the qualification process for the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in China.
He believes the new bindings, the first to be able to absorb shock and adjust to different users’ positions, will revolutionise para-snowboarding by enabling other DAK amputees to compete against each other, rather than more able-bodied para-athletes.
This, he hopes, will lead the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to create a new category for DAKs competitors.
CFMS, which is based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, has developed and tested the bespoke bindings using a series of 3D-modelling, additive manufacturing and complex high-value design techniques.
More than 500 digital engineering hours have been dedicated to the development of the prototype bindings, which have been 3D-printed using a super-strong material made from nylon and fibreglass.
Swifty said: “For five years I’ve been competing on heavy bindings put together in a friend’s kitchen. They gave me permanent back pain and meant I was too slow to qualify for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games. 
“I wanted to create something that could open doors for me and other DAKs competitors. With CFMS’s help, we’ve developed something revolutionary and now we’re calling on the IPC to help DAKs compete equally.”
CFMS head of advanced simulation Davide Bianchi, who led the project, added: “When Darren first approached us with the idea for the bindings, we jumped at the chance to get involved. As experienced aerospace engineers, we knew we had the skills to design exactly what he needed.
“We’ve really pushed the limits of engineering to create the world’s first 3D-printed snowboard bindings so we’re really proud to see Darren on the slopes using this revolutionary new technology”
CFMS provided support for the project on a pro-bono basis and worked alongside Airbus to 3D-print the bindings.
As a not-for-profit business, CFMS’s vision is to be the recognised, independent, digital test bed for the design of high-value engineering products and processes.
Its digital test beds give a far greater understanding of how a product will perform throughout its lifecycle, creating a virtual replica of systems and processes used for investigation of options and opportunities in advance of physical development.
In July it appointed former Airbus UK managing director Prof Iain Gray as chairman.
