Björn Lindwall’s 3D‑Printed Gear Powers His Everest Ascent

Björn Lindwall’s adventurous spirit has spanned continents—from a childhood in Sweden to years spent in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet invasion, and a formative stint in Tanzania amid conflict with Uganda. “You learn to live with risk as a constant,” he reflects, a lesson that would later shape his daring climb of Mount Everest.

As the CEO and founder of SolidEngineer in Sweden, Björn led a company for 25 years before seeking a new horizon. Ten years ago, he re‑embraced the mountaineering passion that had driven him in his youth. After summiting Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and several Himalayan peaks, he set his sights on the world’s tallest mountain. To document these expeditions, he launched bjornadventure, a platform exploring how technology can enhance adventure sports.

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Mount Everest Climbing Gear

Prior to the climb, Björn convened his engineering team to design lightweight, high‑performance components. Satellite communication was critical, so they engineered a rugged housing capable of withstanding -40 °C and the extreme altitudes of Everest. Using Markforged’s Onyx—carbon‑fiber‑filled nylon—they fabricated the enclosure, which retained structural integrity in sub‑freezing temperatures.

They also redesigned the crampon system. Traditional steel plates weighed 50 g, but Onyx replacements weighed only 15 g. In rigorous field tests across the Andes, the Onyx crampons endured impacts from rocks, gravel, and stone, proving their resilience for the icy summit.

The eight‑week ascent began with a team of seasoned climbers. Björn noted the psychological challenge of confronting the frozen graves of past climbers, yet he remained focused on the summit. Upon reaching 8,848 m (29,029 ft), the Onyx components remained intact, and by descent they exhibited only minor wear—no critical damage.

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Next Steps

Leveraging this expedition, SolidEngineer now markets Markforged printers across Sweden, highlighting proven field performance. Björn plans a health initiative at SolidEngineer and a forthcoming North Swedish mountaineering expedition in August. He also eyes a rare paragliding jump off Everest—an endeavor pursued by only a handful worldwide.

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