The bicycle industry has special challenges, in particular high tooling costs for standardized bicycle frames. Based on metallic 3D printing, an international collaboration has now succeeded for the first time worldwide in developing a titanium bicycle frame with a monocoque look and integrated battery.
Integrating innovative technologies from Asia in Central Europe while maintaining cost efficiency was a major challenge in this project. The partner Möve turned to additive manufacturing (AM) at an early stage in order to manufacture the connecting elements between the frame segments more efficiently. After a thorough evaluation of potential partners, it became clear that close collaboration with experts was required to combine design, performance and cost efficiency in one solution. This is where the Eplus3D team came in, optimizing the cost structure for the production of these fasteners and ensuring that the concept was scalable to series production. Thanks to this approach and the use of innovative titanium tubes, the project was accelerated by at least four months.
The result: a new, distinctive e-bike frame that retained the planned monocoque design. This project impressively demonstrates the potential of metal 3D printing for the bicycle industry.
The close collaboration and expertise of everyone involved enabled a redesign of the parts production and improved the end product in terms of quality and durability - and thus also the user experience.
