Working with Vivid Laser Applied sciences (BLT), bicycle producer Titan Tremendous Bond has developed the primary totally 3D printed titanium alloy bicycle body in China and Asia.
Employed by Titan Tremendous Bond, the BLT-A320 machine helps produce high-precision titanium alloy bicycle handlebars and head tubes recognized for his or her light-weight, excessive energy, corrosion resistance, and lengthy service life. This light-weight design contributes to diminished general automobile weight, enhancing velocity, whereas the high-strength titanium alloy body facilitates environment friendly energy switch, enhancing maneuverability, and affords distinctive shock absorption capabilities.
Bicycle manufacturing made simpler with steel AM
The choice to undertake steel additive manufacturing addresses challenges confronted by the Chinese language bicycle business in growing high-end components, says the corporate. With exact management and high-quality machines, steel 3D printing proves instrumental in producing advanced structural components whereas assembly business necessities for accuracy (0.03mm). Customization capabilities optimize rider posture and power output.
Steel 3D printing simplifies and streamlines manufacturing in comparison with conventional processes like precision casting, CNC machining, wire slicing, welding, calibration, and floor therapy. This results in a 30% reduce in manufacturing cycles, over 20% financial savings in supplies, elevated manufacturing effectivity, strengthened welding areas, diminished labor depth, shorter working hours, and paves the best way for future robotic automated welding.
Efforts in bicycle manufacturing utilizing steel 3D printing made headlines up to now. For example, Sturdy Cycles, a bicycle producer, adopted Headmade Supplies‘ Chilly Steel Fusion (CMF) expertise for producing titanium bike components. In a previous collaboration, the corporate labored with RAM3D to 3D print elements for its street bikes.
On one other entrance, British Biking sought Renishaw‘s help in 3D printing aluminum and titanium components for its monitor bike showcased on the Tokyo 2022 Olympic Video games. In alliance with Materialise, Canyon unveiled a 3D printed mountain bike prototype for Bike Journal Germany’s ‘Journey Inexperienced’ marketing campaign, showcasing a sustainable manufacturing method.
BLT’s steel AM capabilities serve the bigger 3D printing sector
In 2022, Titan Tremendous Bond skilled a notable enhancement in its R&D and manufacturing capabilities in steel 3D printing, because of the combination of BLT’s Laser-Powder Mattress Fusion (LPBF) steel 3D printing machines, notably the BLT-A320. Coupled with BLT’s complete assist, this integration performed a pivotal position in Titan Tremendous Bond’s success, contributing considerably to its standing within the high-end bicycle market.
Successfully addressing challenges tied to deformation management of advanced components and weight discount, the collaboration tackled a major hurdle introduced by components with a mere 0.9mm wall thickness. Regardless of the issue, the joint effort yielded a holistic answer spanning manufacturing processes, half design, assist, and lattice management. This complete method ensured the profitable passage of the ISO 4210 dynamic fatigue energy check for the 3D printed components, affirming their high quality and enduring sturdiness.
Away from bicycle manufacturing, BLT’s steel 3D printing applied sciences have been beforehand used within the healthcare sector. One such instance consists of the corporate’s BLT-A160D steel 3D printer serving to develop MicroNeuro, the world’s first versatile robotic system for minimally invasive mind surgical procedure. Created by the Centre of Synthetic Intelligence and Robotics on the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, MicroNeuro integrates numerous applied sciences, together with multilevel versatile endoscopy, excessive precision management, augmented actuality surgical navigation, and synthetic intelligence.
Moreover, Chinese language medical agency Wedo Bio-Medical Expertise secured market approval in China for its 3D printed spinal implant, WedoCage, using BLT’s BLT-S210 and BLT-S310 steel 3D printing methods. The Hydroxyapatite-Coated Porous Titanium Alloy Interbody Fusion Gadget obtained a Class III Medical Gadget Registration Certificates from the Nationwide Medical Merchandise Administration.
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Featured picture reveals a completely 3D printed titanium alloy bicycle body. Picture by way of BLT.
