14 ms·

3D printing produces a curious lightweight motorcycle

76 points by edward 10y ago

reustle 10y ago
There are more photos and details on their website http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/ http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/
Derpdiherp 10y ago
While an interesting concept - "The motorcycle is driven by a 6kW electric motor and battery. It reaches a top speed of 80kph and hits 45kph in three seconds." Considering they're pushing this as the strongest possible, lightest possible frame - you'd think they'd focus on more impressive statistics.
kecks 10y ago
How do I read this site with uBlock? Graylisting all requests/scripts only gave me a header and a footer.
- bitJericho 10y ago
  works here with ublock origin + privacy badger
- gorhill 10y ago
  I am assuming you are using uBO in "medium mode"[1]? If so, simply locally noop-ing `static-economist.com` will allow the page to render fine. [1] https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode:-medium-mode https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode:-medium...
monk_e_boy 10y ago
Less than 20% of the page is visible on kindle fire. Then a full screen advert pops up with nothing in it. Not even aclose button. I despair. Anyone got a better link? Edit: http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/ http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/
glaberficken 10y ago
Interestingly, this is using mostly bicycle (mountain-bike) components not traditional motorcycle parts. From the photos I can identify at least these as mtb/bicycle parts: - front suspension forks - disk brakes - rear shock - handlebars - tires So basically this is a heavy electric bicycle with no pedals to push when the battery runs out. The frame looks great though! Might have applications in other forms. edit: By looking closely at the videos on their website you can see weld marks that show the frame was probably 3d printed in sections and then welded together.
- falcolas 10y ago
  This is how motorcycles began; strapping motors to bicycles. It's fun to see them circling back to their roots once more.
  - lisivka 10y ago
    No, motorcycles has their own history: http://www.wired.com/2011/08/0830daimler-first-true-motorcycle/ http://www.wired.com/2011/08/0830daimler-first-true-motorcyc... Mopeds are "bicycles with a motor": https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384aaa251d074c278bc450e6d4.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384... .
- glaberficken 10y ago
  (Can´t edit top comment anymore) Meanwhile I was curious about the tires and noticed that it has different front and back tires Turns out neither is built for speed, one is a cruiser bike tire, the other is a fat bike tire. [Back tire] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad5fb6a20ca3b17f~mv1.jpg/v1/fill/w_824,h_549,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad5fb6a20ca3b17f~mv1.jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad... Vee Rubber Vee Mission Fat Bike Folding Tyre This is a Fat Bike tire (A mountain bike "type" that went mainstream in the last few years. where the proposition is to have a bike with extremely large diameter tires (for mtb standards) to roll over obstacles or to "float" on top of sand/loose gravel/snow (well for snow use it already existed for a long time, but was quite a niche thing) back tire more info: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYVEVMFB/vee-rubber-vee-mission-fat-bike-folding-tyre http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYVEVMFB/vee-rubber-vee-mission-... [Front tire] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbffc788efec19eab~mv1.jpg/v1/fill/w_1047,h_710,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbffc788efec19eab~mv1.jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbf... This looks like a cruiser/low rider tire front tire more info: http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Parts/Cruiser/Tires-Tubes/Berm-Master-Tire.aspx http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Parts/Cruiser/Tires-Tub... http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Tires-Tubes-Parts/Berm-Master-24-x-3-0-pure-black.html http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Tires-Tubes-Parts/Berm-Master...
leaveyou 10y ago
> At some €50,000 ($56,000) each, it is not just the bike that is exotic but also the price. And the buyer must have an "exotic" brain Who would pay 160% the price of a Tesla 3 for this "aerospace-motorcycle" which is actually a lousy electric bike..
- morganvachon 10y ago
  This is a prototype, a first of its kind. Of course it's going to be insanely expensive in such a limited run. It's also (hopefully) going to be refined and improved in testing, and the future generations will be cheaper and more efficient. I also get the feeling they are limiting the top speed not due to technical limitations, but for safety reasons since it's an unproven frame. Once they work out the weak spots, they will likely increase the top speed and range, and simultaneously bring the price down to a realistic level (assuming consumer interest).
  - paulmd 10y ago
    3D printing is not currently a technology that gets significantly cheaper with mass production. The assembly process would get cheaper with volume, but I suspect a lot of the cost is in that huge metallic frame component they printed. The usual trick is to 3D print large components folded up and unfold them afterwards - I don't think that would be very feasible for a bike frame that needs to be stiff, but you never know.
- fennecfoxen 10y ago
  > Who would pay 160% the price of a Tesla 3 for this "aerospace-motorcycle" which is actually a lousy electric bike.. Someone who already has a couple of Teslas and wants to try something a little less enclosed.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- rjsw 10y ago
  It is a technology demonstrator, it just gives a potential customer for their 3d printing services a ballpark figure for the cost. Airbus is also a participant in a new standard for data exchange for additive manufacturing so they probably want to publicise what they can do.
Fuxy 10y ago
Too bad the price is so high I always wanted to get a electric motorcycle and this seems like an interesting one to get.
andrewfelix 10y ago
6kg for an ebike frame is not lightweight at all. Downhill mountain bike frame with traditional aluminium tubing weigh less and have to handle much greater forces.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- reustle 10y ago
  This is not an ebike, it is an electric motorcycle. They are similar, but definitely separate classes. 13 lbs is crazy light for a motorcycle frame.
  - jasongill 10y ago
    From the photos in the article it appears to be a mountain bike with a electric motor - look at the front fork, the tiny MTB disc brakes, etc.
  - glaberficken 10y ago
    The thing is this really isn't a motorcycle at all. The tires are Bicycle tires (cruiser tires for one) not rated at all for the kinds of speeds they are advertising. The front suspension while rated for MTB downhill use (which puts up with some heavy stress loads) would need to be tested for those speeds as well. The fact that they are taking speculative pre-orders for a $56,000 product and don't even give out a parts spec on their website is very fishy.
    - Kluny 10y ago
      Hopefully that picture was an early prototype. I can't imagine bicycle-grade parts passing any kind of safety inspection for a vehicle that's supposed travel at traffic speed.
    - memco 10y ago
      Even though it is constructed from bicycle parts, this would be considered a motorcycle by legal standards in the US. Ebikes in the US generally are not allowed to exceed 20mph, but the motor in this can go well above that limit. I believe the limit is actually lower in the EU[1]. They may have to market this as a motorcycle on this fact alone. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#European_Union_definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#European...
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
philippnagel 10y ago
Interesting. Does anyone know a more affordable electric motorcycle?
- Cthulhu_ 10y ago
  http://www.ktm.com/e-ride/ http://www.ktm.com/e-ride/
- lwhalen 10y ago
  Harley Davidson has an e-motorcycle in development. I've ridden a prototype, they are quite fun. No word on when it's available for sale though.
- vvanders 10y ago
  Zero is actually a bit more reasonable(~$10k): http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/
Dwolb 10y ago
Does anyone with an aerodynamics background know more about the holes in the frame? How do you think about whether this frame on the bike is better for aerodynamics than a more continuous but wider surface?
- cglace 10y ago
  Wouldn't the big human on top of it be the worst part of its aerodynamics?
  - 7Z7 10y ago
    That's a given in either case, though.
- bostonpete 10y ago
  > whether this frame on the bike is better for aerodynamics than a more continuous but wider surface It's certainly worse but I don't think drag is a driving design consideration for this bike. Those holes undoubtedly there to reduce material/weight...
- ThenAsNow 10y ago
  It would be a pretty simple exercise to develop very lightweight fairings for this frame. Clearly it wasn't a consideration in this proof-of-concept design, so it doesn't make sense to consider this as anything more than a sign as to where things are going. It looks like they used topological optimization with some set of load cases analyzed through typical Finite Element Analysis codes. If they had wanted to, they could also have factored in aerodynamics in their optimization procedure, with either a shell type of approach if they wanted to make the whole thing 3D-printed metal, or with a separate fairing.
893helios 10y ago
This is interesting there is a definite niche market for small, lightweight electric commuter motorcycles. I think this motorcycle (It's not bicycle), is a good demonstration piece and a cute collectors item. But there design flaws that put this out being a production machine in it's current configuration. The components (wheels, brakes, etc) seem to be undersized for the task at hand. But considering the whole bike weights roughly 70lbs I believe it will work over all over the short term. Braking from 40mph on those brakes and forks would be interesting. Also foot pegs integrated into the frame may look good but in a low slide crash could prove catastrophic.
- ahlatimer 10y ago
  > Also foot pegs integrated into the frame may look good but in a low slide crash could prove catastrophic. They also appear to have a taper to them, leading to a somewhat thin edge. My dad still has the scar from when he put a footpeg into his foot on a motorcycle when he was younger. That was from a fixed but fairly blunt footpeg. No idea the kind of damage this thing would do.
tantalor 10y ago
> This complex and hollow structure could not have been made with anything other than a 3D printer Eh? What about die casting? That's how we usually make complex shapes out of metal like an engine block.
justinclift 10y ago
This looks like the kind of structure generated by an algorithmic solver when given a motorcycle chassis as input, mount point definitions for mountain bike pieces, and material data for their custom "Scalmalloy" material. Kind of a weird hodge-podge, but nifty looking. :) Anyone know which software they used for the material optimisation? solidThinking Inspire?
radarsat1 10y ago
So much for 3D printing being the harbinger of inexpensive, home-made objects >.< But in any case I'm more curious about the design approach, which others are suggesting involves optimisation. Could be, I'm not sure, (could design such a thing in solidworks by hand) but I'd love to read about it. For instance I'd love to know if it takes into account wind resistance, and if so, do they use fluid mechanics simulation to test it? Is it compared with real-life wind tunnel results? The combination of 3D printing and simulation/optimisation is a really interesting avenue for future design and construction.
- tfinniga 10y ago
  If you're interested in this kind of thing you might want to take a look at Autodesk Dreamcatcher. I'm not sure which software APWorks used. They're worked with Autodesk in the past, but I wasn't able to find any information about this case. In any case, it is almost certainly topology optimization. Disclaimer: I work at Autodesk
lloda 10y ago
Looks like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology_optimization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology_optimization
JulianMorrison 10y ago
Someone really should make a Giger alien mod of that, paint it back with clear resin wet look gloss on top and a xenomorph head over the headlight. It would look amazing.
blahedo 10y ago
So the 3D printing spits out a big chunk of finished product that "could not" be made by assembling parts more conventionally. What happens when a piece breaks? Just throw the whole thing out?
- Ftuuky 10y ago
  Recycle and reprint it again.
  - schiffern 10y ago
    Neither the consumer nor a repair shop will have the 3D printer to do that, and it would be almost as expensive as buying a new bike anyway (after the labor). Worse, economy of scale means that you could just buy a new frame from the manufacturer for less than making one yourself. So in practice this option boils down to "throw the bike and/or frame out (scrapyard) and buy a new one."
sandworm101 10y ago
Not a motorcycle. This is an electric bicycle. Forgetting the weight of the bike, that front brake isn't enough to properly handle the mass of a rider panic-braking at 100kph. Also, look into modern Japanese motorcycle design. Their frames are much less than 6kg. Many don't have anything worthy of being called a frame. The rear swing arm is bolted to the engine block, with the only load-bearing structure being between that and the triple clamp (The bit where the front forks attach). These are proper electric motorcycles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TT_Zero https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TT_Zero And here is what they can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxZs2-gICc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxZs2-gICc
- lisivka 10y ago
  Bicycle is powered by human muscles only. Bicycle with a motor is called moped: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384aaa251d074c278bc450e6d4.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384... .
  - sandworm101 10y ago
    I'd say that bicycle means only two-wheeled, as opposed to tricycles and quads. Mopeds legally need pedals, which this does not have. Bicycles do not need pedals as various types don't have them. (I see kids at the beach every day on small bikes without pedals.) So without pedals it isn't a moped. And without any of the equipment to make it a street worthy or even a legal motorcycle, I call it a bicycle.
    - Rumudiez 10y ago
      Going by a legal definition, a moped can only be a two wheeled vehicle with a displacement smaller than 50cc for gas engines and a top speed lower than 35mph. Anything else is a motorcycle, including most scooters. Being legally registered and titled is a different matter than being simply described. I think motorcycle is exact and correct given the styling and capabilities of the bike.
theophrastus 10y ago
Some materials scientist must have already done their thesis on this problem: optimally span two spatially separate beams with a homogeneous material transmitting some impedance designated force between them and subjected to increasing mass reduction. Given a ceramic material (strong in compression) we'll assume we end up with some sort of bone matrix [1]; a bit like we see here for this 3d printed frame. But given metals what do we observe? [1] http://goo.gl/SdtMoc http://goo.gl/SdtMoc

76 points by edward 10y ago

There are more photos and details on their website http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/ http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/

While an interesting concept - "The motorcycle is driven by a 6kW electric motor and battery. It reaches a top speed of 80kph and hits 45kph in three seconds." Considering they're pushing this as the strongest possible, lightest possible frame - you'd think they'd focus on more impressive statistics.

kecks 10y ago

How do I read this site with uBlock? Graylisting all requests/scripts only gave me a header and a footer.

bitJericho 10y ago
works here with ublock origin + privacy badger
gorhill 10y ago
I am assuming you are using uBO in "medium mode"[1]? If so, simply locally noop-ing `static-economist.com` will allow the page to render fine. [1] https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode:-medium-mode https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode:-medium...

monk_e_boy 10y ago

Less than 20% of the page is visible on kindle fire. Then a full screen advert pops up with nothing in it. Not even aclose button. I despair. Anyone got a better link? Edit: http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/ http://www.lightrider.apworks.de/

glaberficken 10y ago

Interestingly, this is using mostly bicycle (mountain-bike) components not traditional motorcycle parts. From the photos I can identify at least these as mtb/bicycle parts: - front suspension forks - disk brakes - rear shock - handlebars - tires So basically this is a heavy electric bicycle with no pedals to push when the battery runs out. The frame looks great though! Might have applications in other forms. edit: By looking closely at the videos on their website you can see weld marks that show the frame was probably 3d printed in sections and then welded together.

falcolas 10y ago
This is how motorcycles began; strapping motors to bicycles. It's fun to see them circling back to their roots once more.
- lisivka 10y ago
  No, motorcycles has their own history: http://www.wired.com/2011/08/0830daimler-first-true-motorcycle/ http://www.wired.com/2011/08/0830daimler-first-true-motorcyc... Mopeds are "bicycles with a motor": https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384aaa251d074c278bc450e6d4.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384... .
glaberficken 10y ago
(Can´t edit top comment anymore) Meanwhile I was curious about the tires and noticed that it has different front and back tires Turns out neither is built for speed, one is a cruiser bike tire, the other is a fat bike tire. [Back tire] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad5fb6a20ca3b17f~mv1.jpg/v1/fill/w_824,h_549,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad5fb6a20ca3b17f~mv1.jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_3c48823dff9e4cdaad... Vee Rubber Vee Mission Fat Bike Folding Tyre This is a Fat Bike tire (A mountain bike "type" that went mainstream in the last few years. where the proposition is to have a bike with extremely large diameter tires (for mtb standards) to roll over obstacles or to "float" on top of sand/loose gravel/snow (well for snow use it already existed for a long time, but was quite a niche thing) back tire more info: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYVEVMFB/vee-rubber-vee-mission-fat-bike-folding-tyre http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYVEVMFB/vee-rubber-vee-mission-... [Front tire] https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbffc788efec19eab~mv1.jpg/v1/fill/w_1047,h_710,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbffc788efec19eab~mv1.jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ee8ba9_7a508f9284164dddbf... This looks like a cruiser/low rider tire front tire more info: http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Parts/Cruiser/Tires-Tubes/Berm-Master-Tire.aspx http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2016/Parts/Cruiser/Tires-Tub... http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Tires-Tubes-Parts/Berm-Master-24-x-3-0-pure-black.html http://www.classic-cycle.de/en/Tires-Tubes-Parts/Berm-Master...

leaveyou 10y ago

> At some €50,000 ($56,000) each, it is not just the bike that is exotic but also the price. And the buyer must have an "exotic" brain Who would pay 160% the price of a Tesla 3 for this "aerospace-motorcycle" which is actually a lousy electric bike..

morganvachon 10y ago
This is a prototype, a first of its kind. Of course it's going to be insanely expensive in such a limited run. It's also (hopefully) going to be refined and improved in testing, and the future generations will be cheaper and more efficient. I also get the feeling they are limiting the top speed not due to technical limitations, but for safety reasons since it's an unproven frame. Once they work out the weak spots, they will likely increase the top speed and range, and simultaneously bring the price down to a realistic level (assuming consumer interest).
- paulmd 10y ago
  3D printing is not currently a technology that gets significantly cheaper with mass production. The assembly process would get cheaper with volume, but I suspect a lot of the cost is in that huge metallic frame component they printed. The usual trick is to 3D print large components folded up and unfold them afterwards - I don't think that would be very feasible for a bike frame that needs to be stiff, but you never know.
fennecfoxen 10y ago
> Who would pay 160% the price of a Tesla 3 for this "aerospace-motorcycle" which is actually a lousy electric bike.. Someone who already has a couple of Teslas and wants to try something a little less enclosed.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
rjsw 10y ago
It is a technology demonstrator, it just gives a potential customer for their 3d printing services a ballpark figure for the cost. Airbus is also a participant in a new standard for data exchange for additive manufacturing so they probably want to publicise what they can do.

Fuxy 10y ago

Too bad the price is so high I always wanted to get a electric motorcycle and this seems like an interesting one to get.

andrewfelix 10y ago

6kg for an ebike frame is not lightweight at all. Downhill mountain bike frame with traditional aluminium tubing weigh less and have to handle much greater forces.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
reustle 10y ago
This is not an ebike, it is an electric motorcycle. They are similar, but definitely separate classes. 13 lbs is crazy light for a motorcycle frame.
- jasongill 10y ago
  From the photos in the article it appears to be a mountain bike with a electric motor - look at the front fork, the tiny MTB disc brakes, etc.
- glaberficken 10y ago
  The thing is this really isn't a motorcycle at all. The tires are Bicycle tires (cruiser tires for one) not rated at all for the kinds of speeds they are advertising. The front suspension while rated for MTB downhill use (which puts up with some heavy stress loads) would need to be tested for those speeds as well. The fact that they are taking speculative pre-orders for a $56,000 product and don't even give out a parts spec on their website is very fishy.
  - Kluny 10y ago
    Hopefully that picture was an early prototype. I can't imagine bicycle-grade parts passing any kind of safety inspection for a vehicle that's supposed travel at traffic speed.
  - memco 10y ago
    Even though it is constructed from bicycle parts, this would be considered a motorcycle by legal standards in the US. Ebikes in the US generally are not allowed to exceed 20mph, but the motor in this can go well above that limit. I believe the limit is actually lower in the EU[1]. They may have to market this as a motorcycle on this fact alone. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#European_Union_definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#European...

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

philippnagel 10y ago

Interesting. Does anyone know a more affordable electric motorcycle?

Cthulhu_ 10y ago
http://www.ktm.com/e-ride/ http://www.ktm.com/e-ride/
lwhalen 10y ago
Harley Davidson has an e-motorcycle in development. I've ridden a prototype, they are quite fun. No word on when it's available for sale though.
vvanders 10y ago
Zero is actually a bit more reasonable(~$10k): http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/ http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/

Dwolb 10y ago

Does anyone with an aerodynamics background know more about the holes in the frame? How do you think about whether this frame on the bike is better for aerodynamics than a more continuous but wider surface?

cglace 10y ago
Wouldn't the big human on top of it be the worst part of its aerodynamics?
- 7Z7 10y ago
  That's a given in either case, though.
bostonpete 10y ago
> whether this frame on the bike is better for aerodynamics than a more continuous but wider surface It's certainly worse but I don't think drag is a driving design consideration for this bike. Those holes undoubtedly there to reduce material/weight...
ThenAsNow 10y ago
It would be a pretty simple exercise to develop very lightweight fairings for this frame. Clearly it wasn't a consideration in this proof-of-concept design, so it doesn't make sense to consider this as anything more than a sign as to where things are going. It looks like they used topological optimization with some set of load cases analyzed through typical Finite Element Analysis codes. If they had wanted to, they could also have factored in aerodynamics in their optimization procedure, with either a shell type of approach if they wanted to make the whole thing 3D-printed metal, or with a separate fairing.

893helios 10y ago

This is interesting there is a definite niche market for small, lightweight electric commuter motorcycles. I think this motorcycle (It's not bicycle), is a good demonstration piece and a cute collectors item. But there design flaws that put this out being a production machine in it's current configuration. The components (wheels, brakes, etc) seem to be undersized for the task at hand. But considering the whole bike weights roughly 70lbs I believe it will work over all over the short term. Braking from 40mph on those brakes and forks would be interesting. Also foot pegs integrated into the frame may look good but in a low slide crash could prove catastrophic.

ahlatimer 10y ago
> Also foot pegs integrated into the frame may look good but in a low slide crash could prove catastrophic. They also appear to have a taper to them, leading to a somewhat thin edge. My dad still has the scar from when he put a footpeg into his foot on a motorcycle when he was younger. That was from a fixed but fairly blunt footpeg. No idea the kind of damage this thing would do.

tantalor 10y ago

> This complex and hollow structure could not have been made with anything other than a 3D printer Eh? What about die casting? That's how we usually make complex shapes out of metal like an engine block.

justinclift 10y ago

This looks like the kind of structure generated by an algorithmic solver when given a motorcycle chassis as input, mount point definitions for mountain bike pieces, and material data for their custom "Scalmalloy" material. Kind of a weird hodge-podge, but nifty looking. :) Anyone know which software they used for the material optimisation? solidThinking Inspire?

radarsat1 10y ago

So much for 3D printing being the harbinger of inexpensive, home-made objects >.< But in any case I'm more curious about the design approach, which others are suggesting involves optimisation. Could be, I'm not sure, (could design such a thing in solidworks by hand) but I'd love to read about it. For instance I'd love to know if it takes into account wind resistance, and if so, do they use fluid mechanics simulation to test it? Is it compared with real-life wind tunnel results? The combination of 3D printing and simulation/optimisation is a really interesting avenue for future design and construction.

tfinniga 10y ago
If you're interested in this kind of thing you might want to take a look at Autodesk Dreamcatcher. I'm not sure which software APWorks used. They're worked with Autodesk in the past, but I wasn't able to find any information about this case. In any case, it is almost certainly topology optimization. Disclaimer: I work at Autodesk

lloda 10y ago

Looks like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology_optimization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topology_optimization

JulianMorrison 10y ago

Someone really should make a Giger alien mod of that, paint it back with clear resin wet look gloss on top and a xenomorph head over the headlight. It would look amazing.

blahedo 10y ago

So the 3D printing spits out a big chunk of finished product that "could not" be made by assembling parts more conventionally. What happens when a piece breaks? Just throw the whole thing out?

Ftuuky 10y ago
Recycle and reprint it again.
- schiffern 10y ago
  Neither the consumer nor a repair shop will have the 3D printer to do that, and it would be almost as expensive as buying a new bike anyway (after the labor). Worse, economy of scale means that you could just buy a new frame from the manufacturer for less than making one yourself. So in practice this option boils down to "throw the bike and/or frame out (scrapyard) and buy a new one."

sandworm101 10y ago

Not a motorcycle. This is an electric bicycle. Forgetting the weight of the bike, that front brake isn't enough to properly handle the mass of a rider panic-braking at 100kph. Also, look into modern Japanese motorcycle design. Their frames are much less than 6kg. Many don't have anything worthy of being called a frame. The rear swing arm is bolted to the engine block, with the only load-bearing structure being between that and the triple clamp (The bit where the front forks attach). These are proper electric motorcycles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TT_Zero https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TT_Zero And here is what they can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxZs2-gICc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxZs2-gICc

lisivka 10y ago
Bicycle is powered by human muscles only. Bicycle with a motor is called moped: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384aaa251d074c278bc450e6d4.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/8a/8b/688a8b384... .
- sandworm101 10y ago
  I'd say that bicycle means only two-wheeled, as opposed to tricycles and quads. Mopeds legally need pedals, which this does not have. Bicycles do not need pedals as various types don't have them. (I see kids at the beach every day on small bikes without pedals.) So without pedals it isn't a moped. And without any of the equipment to make it a street worthy or even a legal motorcycle, I call it a bicycle.
  - Rumudiez 10y ago
    Going by a legal definition, a moped can only be a two wheeled vehicle with a displacement smaller than 50cc for gas engines and a top speed lower than 35mph. Anything else is a motorcycle, including most scooters. Being legally registered and titled is a different matter than being simply described. I think motorcycle is exact and correct given the styling and capabilities of the bike.

theophrastus 10y ago

Some materials scientist must have already done their thesis on this problem: optimally span two spatially separate beams with a homogeneous material transmitting some impedance designated force between them and subjected to increasing mass reduction. Given a ceramic material (strong in compression) we'll assume we end up with some sort of bone matrix [1]; a bit like we see here for this 3d printed frame. But given metals what do we observe? [1] http://goo.gl/SdtMoc http://goo.gl/SdtMoc