Investing in the Future of Engineering: A Look Back at a Successful Year for the Precision Board Donation Program

At Coastal Enterprises, we’re passionate about empowering the next generation of engineers, fabricators, and innovators. Through our Precision Board Donation Program, we proudly provide high-performance urethane tooling board to schools, universities, and student-led teams working on real-world engineering and manufacturing projects.

This year has been one of our most successful yet, marked by new partnerships, groundbreaking student innovations, and continued growth in programs that prepare young engineers for the industries of tomorrow.

Building the Next Generation of Makers

Whether it’s a lightweight mold for a solar-powered vehicle, a composite lay-up tool for an aerospace prototype, or a CNC-machined component for an electric racing car, students across the country are using Precision Board Urethane Tooling Board to bring complex ideas to life.

By working with a professional-grade material that’s trusted by manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, marine, and defense, students gain hands-on experience that mirrors the real demands of industry, learning how to design, fabricate, and problem-solve with precision.

Highlights from 2025

This year, Coastal Enterprises donated thousands of pounds of Precision Board to university and technical programs nationwide, supporting projects that blend creativity with technical expertise.

Some of our favorite highlights include:

University Engineering Teams – From Formula SAE to solar-powered racing cars, students used Precision Board to machine aerodynamic body molds, tooling fixtures, and composite lay-up tools that performed under pressure.

Aerospace & Manufacturing Programs – Engineering departments utilized Precision Board for prototypes, pattern tools, and aerodynamic testing components, taking advantage of its low CTE and high dimensional stability.

Vocational & Technical Schools – Future machinists and fabricators trained on CNC processes using Precision Board, gaining real-world experience with a versatile, easy-to-machine tooling material.

Each of these projects reflects the ingenuity and drive that define the next generation of engineers, and we’re honored to play a small role in their success.

Why It Matters

Supporting education isn’t just a part of what we do; it’s part of who we are. For over 50 years, Coastal Enterprises has proudly manufactured every sheet of Precision Board Urethane Tooling Board in the USA. Through our donation program, we’re giving students access to the same quality materials used in professional aerospace and advanced manufacturing environments.

These experiences prepare them for the challenges they’ll face in their careers and inspire them to push boundaries even further.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, we’re committed to supporting engineering and manufacturing programs, helping young innovators build the skills and confidence to lead the industry forward.

If your school or student team could benefit from high-quality tooling materials, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue shaping the future of engineering and advanced manufacturing, one project at a time.

Learn more about the Precision Board Donation Program: https://precisionboard.com/donation-program/

Coastal Enterprises Company
Proudly manufacturing Precision Board Urethane Tooling Board in the USA for over 50 years — and investing in the innovators of the future.

Fetch Sign – Woof 4

Today we are fabricating the interior frame of our sign. We are using 1″ Square steel tubing.

We’ve pocket a raceway into the back of each sign panel. Peter is setting the steel pieces in place, we’ll tack weld them inside the sign for a perfect fit then take it out and complete our welds.

Here it is all welded up and ready for assembly.

Published with permission from KDF Custom Graphics. Source.

6 World Speed Records to be Broken!

Get over to sunny Moriarty, New Mexico for the “Thunder Over Moriarty!” This world record-breaking event will feature Nemesis Air Racing presenting the NemesisNXT (Bottom picture) on September 21^st through October 3^rd.

Located just 35 miles east of Albuquerque, NM, Jon and Patricia Sharp, with the Nemesis Air Racing team, will assault 3 different speed distances in two different weight categories; 3km, 15km, and 100km in length. Flown just 200 feet above the ground, the 3km will be 4 passes with the plane in your face, but don’t blink, cause the NemesisNXT will be gone if you do!

That’s a total of 6 records! With the NemesisNXT clocked at the Reno Air Races at speeds well into 400 MPH, this should be a breeze. Check out this great video to learn more about the NemesisNXT:

Coastal Enterprises manufactured the Precision Board used for layup tooling in the original Nemesis and the NemesisNXT, and since our involvement began, we have been huge fans of both Jon and Patricia.

To the whole NemesisNXT Racing Team: Good luck and break those records!

The Nemesis Litho 1998

Nemesis NXT 2005

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na… Batman! With West Coast Customs

“I am the reason criminals breathe easier when the sun rises.” – Batman.

A powerful statement from Batman, Arkham Knight is the only appropriate way to introduce this beyond impressive piece of work from West Coast Customs. Made from Precision Board Plus, these artists were able to create a life size Batmobile that is currently traveling around the world on display.

Using PBLT-10, West Coast Customs machined this 15ft wide, 23.5ft long, and 9ft tall Batmobile that was first displayed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, 2014. While stunning to the average viewer, it is even more impressive knowing the intricate detail that went into this piece. With the Batmobile currently on show in Germany, this piece will “ahh” the public for many years to come.

Here are some of the process pictures that give you an insight of the artistry involved in making West Coast Custom’s Batmobile.

Batmobile on display at E3 in Los Angeles.

Fizzy Lifting Soda Pop Candy Shop Sign – Part 3

We are getting close. Brian’s been welding, building and painting away. Now that he has all the letters done he’s moved on to the sign faces. these will be a bright red and will really stand out at this little corner shop.

He started by welding the inside frame of the sign. This will make it incredibly strong.

Now back to the sign faces. Using our Matthews Paint system Brian matches the clients red and preps the paint guns. Several coats of color are put down to get a real nice, and strong, finish.