Tag: European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company

Charge Ahead With 3D Printing

Charge-BikesWe’ve seen some big things with 3D printing, and surprisingly it has come not in composite materials or even plastics and resins, but in titanium. This shouldn’t be that surprising as titanium is actually refined from tiny grains rather than huge chunks.

However it works, Charge Bikes has now started testing 3D printed titanium sections of its frames. The company has reportedly collaborated with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). Working at the Innovation Works, the corporate research center for EADS group, Charge is charging forward to produce the world’s first 3D printed titanium frame utilizing manufacturing components designed for the aerospace industry.

While the full Charge Bikes Freezer cyclocross bike wasn’t actually printed out in 3D, the bike is the first to have any part produced this way. Video after the jump

Nylon Bike Made From Copier Technology

When we think of “carbon copy” technology we think of the old days when carbon paper was used to make multiple copies of a document. This technology is still used (albeit less and less) with some rental agreements and other business contracts. However, when we think of “carbon copy” for bicycles, we tend to think of how a line of bikes all looks the same.

The truth is that all bikes are still somewhat made individually, even if the parts are more or less the same. No two bikes are truly “copies.” But British engineers Chris Turner and Andy Hawkins may have developed a bike that could very well be the first of a line of copies – bikes that are so much alike they could be considered clones! Their Airbike is made entirely of nylon – yes nylon – but it is supposedly as strong as steel. What is more interesting is that the bike has been created using a process called additive layer manufacturing (ALM). Continue reading Nylon Bike Made From Copier Technology