Asia’s first progressive 3D printed titanium alloy bicycle body developed by BLT and Titan Tremendous Bond

Working with Shiny Laser Applied sciences (BLT), bicycle producer Titan Tremendous Bond has developed the primary absolutely 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 identified for his or her light-weight, excessive energy, corrosion resistance, and lengthy service life. This light-weight design contributes to lowered total car weight, bettering velocity, whereas the high-strength titanium alloy body facilitates environment friendly energy switch, enhancing maneuverability, and presents 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 creating high-end elements, says the corporate. With exact management and high-quality machines, steel 3D printing proves instrumental in producing complicated structural elements whereas assembly business necessities for accuracy (0.03mm). Customization capabilities optimize rider posture and power output.

Metallic 3D printing simplifies and streamlines manufacturing in comparison with conventional processes like precision casting, CNC machining, wire reducing, 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, lowered labor depth, shorter working hours, and paves the way in which for future robotic automated welding.

Efforts in bicycle manufacturing utilizing steel 3D printing made headlines previously. As an example, Sturdy Cycles, a bicycle producer, adopted Headmade Supplies‘ Chilly Metallic Fusion (CMF) expertise for producing titanium bike elements. In a previous collaboration, the corporate labored with RAM3D to 3D print parts for its highway bikes. 

On one other entrance, British Biking sought Renishaw‘s help in 3D printing aluminum and titanium elements for its observe 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 ‘Trip 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 help, 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 complicated elements and weight discount, the collaboration tackled a big hurdle offered by elements with a mere 0.9mm wall thickness. Regardless of the problem, the joint effort yielded a holistic answer spanning manufacturing processes, half design, help, and lattice management. This complete method ensured the profitable passage of the ISO 4210 dynamic fatigue energy check for the 3D printed elements, affirming their high quality and enduring sturdiness.

Away from bicycle manufacturing, BLT’s steel 3D printing applied sciences had been beforehand used within the healthcare sector. One such instance contains 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 programs. 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 exhibits a completely 3D printed titanium alloy bicycle body. Photograph through BLT.