It already seems a long time ago, albeit only in 2012, that specialist cycle manufacturing websites were beginning to refer to 3D printers being used to produce not just prototypes, but also the end product cycle. Back then it was all about, one-off, customised bikes. It is yet another sign of how fast 3D printing is progressing from possibility to production method for so many products now.
Whilst there is now a number of existing 3D printing related cycle projects around, the acceleration of industrial 3D printed bikes has also reached the finish line.
Renishaw is currently the UK’s only manufacturer of additive manufacturing machines that produce metal. The company has recently teamed up with Empire Cycles — a leading British bicycle design and manufacturing company to create the world’s first production 3D printed metal bike frame.
The additive technology from Renishaw has allowed Empire to create a titanium frame – manufactured in titanium alloy sections then bonded together – that is extremely strong and yet a third lighter than the original design using traditional manufacturing methods.
The duo of companies involved list the additive advantages such as flexibility to make design improvements right up to production and making one-offs as easily as production batches amongst many others.
