3D Printed Titanium tent stake from Teragon-Gear

[Anders B]

Hi,

Teragon Gear has just launched what we believe is a revolutionizing tent stake. Combining titanium and 3D printing we have been able to create a tent stake under 0.2 oz (5,3 g) that still has the strength similar to a regular aluminum Y-stake. The Pioneer 1 is a great allrounder that we belive will set a new standard.

As a launching offer for the Back Packing Light community we want to give you a discount. Use the code BPL2023 when purchasing on our website and you will receive a $4 discount per stake (as long as supplies lasts on our pre-production batch).

We are also interested in feedback and comments. One of the big advantages of 3D printing is that it is easy to optimize and improve the design. In your mind, what features does the ultimate titanium tent stake have?

http://www.teragon-gear.com

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

OK, so it is light weight and high tech – got it.  How is the holding power relative to a Mini Groundhog stake?  Do you have any test data on that?

[DWR D]

Unclear why 3D printing would be better than working with regular sheets of Ti… ???  Suspect it’s just marketing pizazz….

And just how would you 3d print Ti anyway??? Special kind of printer that can smelt the hot metal???  Hmmm….

[baja bob]

What is really revolutionary is charging $25 for a single tent stake.

[Jerry Adams]

tough crowd here : )

it seems like 3D printing would be better for some complicated shape.  For a tent stake that’s linear, then a simpler machine would work better.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

There is an adage in the tech world “sell solutions, not technology”. So, if this new stake had twice the holding power as a Mini Groundhog and weighed ½ as much, there is value there. 3D Printing of titanium is only good if it solves a problem or unmet need. See, 3D printing allows you to make complex parts – no doubt. But how is this product better than existing solutions? That is the $64k questions.

[Dan]

I wonder how many people would want to pay $150-$200 for a set of stakes in order to save less than an ounce total.

As a side note, 3D-printed sintered metal objects generally have reduced mechanical properties (tensile strength, toughness, etc.) compared to those of the monolithic metal. One would need to consider this when calculating strength-to-weight ratios, etc. And empirical testing would really be necessary, IMO.

[Roger Caffin]

I admire the ability to 3D print titanium. that is interesting.
But $25 EACH?
In my humble experience, Ti wires hold just as well, and are a bit more affordable.

Cheers

[Roger Caffin]

As to how it is done: laser sintering of fine powder with a powerful CO2 laser. Expensive stuff, expensive process.

Cheers

[Anders B]

Thanks for the comments and questions so far.

– Our internal testing shows a 20 – 40% increase in holding power compared to a typical aluminium Y-stake (like the MSR mini Groundhog) But this is very much dependent on the soil condition and the way the test is performed. We hope to get an external test done soon.

– 3D metal printing is not a new or untested production method. It is well established but has until now primarily been reserved for very high tech applications. Material properties are also fully comparable to conventional made titanium.

– We fully understand the reactions to the price. Production cost is our biggest challenge, but we are working hard to lower the price. It was a tough decision to go ahead with our product launch at this price level and it has been a rough start for sure. The hope is that we can get the product out there in a limited volume to at least show its potential.

 

[Jerry Adams]

it looks like the surface of the stake has a texture – the printing, diagonal lines, and the 3D print surface

maybe that would make it hold better in the soil

[Author]

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