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Based out of Bozeman, MT Spark R&D is rider owned and operated, dedicated to pushing innovation in splitboarding since 2006. With a view of the Bridger Mountains from our shop, we design and build splitboard bindings and accessories with backcountry performance coming first.

All of the products are manufactured and assembled in our shop in Bozeman, Montana USA. From machining to anodizing, laser engraving to assembly– everything is done by a skilled team of workers who are also passionate splitboarders. In-house design and manufacturing capabilities allow our products to quickly evolve and provide us the flexibility to cater to niche customers within the splitboarding market. Spark R&D continues to step it up; seeking perfection based on customer needs and rider feedback, keeping pace with the rapidly expanding splitboarding community.

MACHINING

From standard sheet to custom extrusions, our aluminum is sourced nearby and is the raw material for the majority of our binding and accessory parts. With our CNC mills and lathes and extremely talented machinists, we are able to produce a wide variety of parts in all shapes, sizes, and complex geometries. All scrap is sorted and recycled.

ANODIZING

This electrochemical process puts the vibrantly colored finish on our aluminum parts like baseplates, heel loops, tailclips, etc. More than just adding pretty colors, anodizing actually creates an aluminum oxide layer on the parts that hardens the material to make it stronger, more resistant to corrosion, more slippery to prevent snow stick, and in general preserves the material. It is a much more environmentally friendly process than powder coating or painting and adds almost no weight or thickness to the parts. The anodizing station is like a mini chemistry lab and requires precise operation and maintenance. All wastewater is evaporated or tested and discharged and our system features custom insulated dye and rinse tanks to reduce energy consumption.

PLASTICS & INJECTION MOLDING

We do almost all of our plastics in house, from the smaller pieces like snap blocks, all the way up to our larger parts such as our Rip 'N' Flip highbacks and Pillow Line straps! We now have two injection molding machines to keep up with the growth in this area of our manufacturing. One of the coolest aspects of our plastics programs is that we are also creating all of our own molds in our machine shop.

PAD PRINTING & PRE ASSEMBLY

Our product graphics were originally all laser etched, but we have been pad printing in-house since 2012 and it has opened up a world of possibilities for product graphics. Not only is it faster, more colorful, and more consistent ….it’s super fun. We select, test, and color match our own inks and every Spark product with graphics has been hand-printed by one of our own employees. Pre-assembly is the final preparation before a part hits the assembly table. Every final product is a little different, but pre-assembly generally includes a mix of printing, bending, fitting, and pressing. 

ASSEMBLY

Our modern assembly line is equipped with a grip of air guns, several quality control checkpoints, an incredible team of detail-oriented hardworking guys and gals, and everything from hip hop to hair metal blaring from the shop speakers. Beyond the eye-catching technology in our factory, Spark R&D’s greatest asset is its people. Our team is as passionate about putting out good product as they are about shredding with it in the mountains nearby.

SUSTAINABILITY AT SPARK R&D

SPARK "MADE IN MONTANA" MEDIA

Ibex Crampon Manufacturing

Anodizing at Spark R&D 

Mold to Pillow - Ankle Strap Molding

ST Tech 

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