PowerSki - History

History

Backed by PTC Global Services ' Pro/ENGINEER solutions, along with powerful HP Workstations , PSI has been provided the most comprehensive, tightly integrated, and powerful product development solutions available today. No other provider can deliver to the PowerSki Jetboard and engine project the functionality, benefits, or advantages of PTC's Pro/ENGINEER, Pro/MECHANICA and Windchill running on HP Workstations . PSI is proud to be a part of PTC's Performance Partner Program & Compaq's Hardware Partner.

Parametric technology streamlines the process

"PTC's Pro/ENGINEER and Pro/MECHANICA mechanical design tools emerged as the best choice in terms of effective modeling tools, vigorous performance, innovative parametric architecture, and strong vendor support," says Bjorn Elvin. "The ability of PTC's parametric engineering solutions to relate the various assemblies and subassemblies of a design to one another, to carry over changes from one subassembly to the related parts in another and the ability to build virtual prototypes of the various assemblies to model and test the stresses and tolerances of these parts was exactly what we were looking for to save our engineering team time and money," he continues.

PTC's deep market penetration was also important to Powerski, assuring that the product would be supported well into the future. Because Pro/ENGINEER and Pro/MECHANICA are the standards in 3D mechanical modeling tools, Powerski felt that it would have fewer compatibility issues with its partners as it works to bring the new Igniter 330 jetboard to market.

PTC's Windchill FACTOR! e-series is also proving to be a significant asset for Powerski. "As we move into production, Windchill allows us to work collaboratively with our various subcontractors. Without Windchill, communicating productions and manufacturing changes with our partners would be time consuming and inefficient," says CEO, Bob Montgomery.

The Motorized Water-ski ...The Physics Don't Lie

The Power Ski's ease of operation is derived from it's hydrodynamic design. It neither looks like, acts like or performs like existing personal watercraft. The Power Ski is a lightweight, easy to ride, single rider stand-up watercraft that is stable and features a non-directional jet-drive system. Superior performance and maneuverability are achieved through the optimal integration of hull configuration, rail contour, low center of gravity and engine placement. The Power Ski is a different animal all together. Typical Jet-ski watercraft utilize mechanical steering devices and directional jet nozzles to turn their craft. This undoubtably places their center of gravity and pivot point far forward creating an abrupt tail sliding in-stability problem. The Power Ski's non-directional jet drive system places the center of gravity and pivot point directly under the riders feet applying G-force inertia and stability. The Power Ski is easy to mount and remount in deep water conditions by simply sinking the low profile tail and sliding up into a lay down position. The Power Ski's wide base provides stable access to the stand-up position during low speeds. To turn the craft the rider simply leans in the desired direction and "glides into a carving" turn. There is more than a significant similarity to a water-skiers turn.

The Power Ski's innovative yet practical success formula reads as follows: Less Weight + Low Drag Coefficient + Low Center of Gravity + Maneuverability + the Sideways Stance + Sleek Design = the Power Ski, the next trend in watersports evolution.

Power and speed needed to drive the design solution

With the best engineering software solution, Powerski realized it also needed a top performance hardware solution on which to run it. "As a startup marketing a completely new product, we have very limited resources to pour into our operations," says Montgomery. "We needed a complete engineering environment with the speed, power and mobility to support the capabilities of the PTC software and do so at a reasonable price."

CEO, Bob Montgomery stated, "Looking at what was available in the market...some vendors could provide the performance, others offered a great price, but none offered the combination of speed, power, mobility, and support that HP could. The HP Professional Workstations provide us with a robust hardware platform, including cutting edge Intel Pentium III CPUs, powerful graphics options, storage and support we needed to ensure efficient engineering operations."

Bob Montgomery, founder and CEO of Powerski International, was impressed with the ability of the HP solution to increase productivity and reduce costs.

Continues Montgomery, "Anyone can build a box and put a bunch of name- brand components in it, but Compaq puts as much effort into the engineering of its products as we put into ours." As the number-one provider of hardware platforms for PTC solutions, Compaq has a vested interest in maintaining the absolute reliability of its PTC platforms. It does this by operating an on-site lab at PTC where the performance, compatibility and efficiency of all Compaq engineering solutions are tested to ensure quality.

"Compaq also spent the time to find out what we would really be using the workstations for, which helped them ensure a proper fit. This meant that we bought the workstation solution that we needed, not the workstation solution that Compaq wanted to sell us. That's important since the most robust and best-priced system in the world won't help you if it can't do what you need it to do."

Bjorn Elvin

Vice President of Engine Development and Manufacturing

Bjorn Elvin is currently spearheading the design and development of PowerSki’s proprietary engine division. Prior to coming to PowerSki, Bjorn designed a one of a kind 950cc off-road desert bike for the newly formed Highland Motorcycles AB in Sweden. This bike was successfully shown at the Milan, Italy Exhibition in September, 1997. Manufacturing of this off-road bike is scheduled for early 1999. Bjorn has over thirty years of motorcycle designing, engineering, testing and racing experience as a factory rider in Europe. He has eleven years of research and development engineering experience with Husqvarna Motorcycle AB. He was the senior R&D test engineer responsible for assembly and testing of all Husqvarna racing Motorcycles, writing test reports, and making all necessary modifications. He was of the five principals/founders of Husaberg Motor AB in Sweden, a manufacturer of motorcycles and motorcycle components. Bjorn also spent three years as an engineer in the suspension and engine test and quality assurance department. During the tenure he acquired considerable skills and experience in budgeting, planning and procurement of test equipment.

Employment History

1998 - To date PowerSki International
1996 - 1998 Highland Motorcycles, Sweden
1992 - 1996 Running own consulting firm
1989 - 1991 Husaberg: World Champion 1st Year

1991 - 1991 Employed at Husqvarna Motorcycle & Chainsaw Divisions: Service Manager Middle East and Far East. Responsible for Products and production facilities, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Education

Machine Technician Institute, Goteborg, Sweden:
General Studies with exclusive specialization in engine design as well as close tolerance tool design and manufacturing.
Apprenticeship with Verktygs AB Broderna Carlsson, close tolerance Swedish toolmaker.

California Inventor Introduces New Motorized Water-ski

If ever there was a product that could bring a smile to every red blooded water-man and girl... the Power Ski is it! The Power Ski is a revolutionary new personal watercraft from HydroForce. "It is a cross between a high performance surfboard and a competition water-ski", says inventor Bob Montgomery of Capistrano Beach, California.

The Power Ski features the natural balance of the "Side-ways Stance" that has catapulted the popularity of surfing, sailboarding, wake-ski boarding, skateboarding and snowboarding. Mr. Montgomery's extensive background in recreational watersports and the personal watercraft industry spans more than 20 years. Bob was a pioneer with Kawasaki as the first dealership to exclusively sell jet ski watercraft targeting marine locations. He initiated a new marketing plan with Kawasaki Corp. and spearheaded the first televised jet-ski racing and co-sponsored demonstration day programs.

Mr. Montgomery also created the first dealerships to carry multiple watercraft from diverse manufacturers. Through this united watercraft experience Mr. Montgomery has developed the motorized water-ski phenomenon, the Power Ski.

[ Waterworld photos ]