The consumer goods industry is such a niche sector that being able to 3D print up to 1000 components is a milestone every parts manufacturer should be proud of. This milestone is the one, the AM team at Oerlikon just reached for bike brand Urwahn.
Several bikes are increasingly being fabricated with 3D printed parts but Urwahn’s bikes do not have the same trapezoidal shape as other bikes. Urwahn’s founder Sebastian Meinecke has developed a completely new design for their brand. And using AM, the provider of additive manufacturing solutions with metals and polymers produced 150 sets of seven never-before-made components for the bicycles.
The partnership between Oerlikon and Urwahn began several years ago when Meinecke brought his idea to the Oerlikon AM team. From concept to creation, both partners determined the materials, processes and the right machines to develop this unique next-generation bike. “The collaboration with the Oerlikon team has been great,” said Meinecke. “With their knowledge of materials and technology, we were able to develop a process chain that enabled us to offer new and unique features such as fully integrated electric systems for the product. And this is just the beginning. I am excited to see what else we can innovate together by taking advantage of new materials and additive manufacturing.”
In addition to its unique shape, which uses rear wheel elastic suspension to ensure a comfortable ride, the frame has integrated LED lighting and a GPS tracking system as well as other gadgets, which would not be feasible to make with conventional production processes. To protect the frame and add another cool dimension, a protective BALINIT CROMA PLUS coating, from the Oerlikon Balzers brand, is applied. Since the coating is of a rainbow color, no bicycle will look like another.
“This is the kind of project that sparks our creativity because we started with a completely white board,” said Hendrik Alfter, general manager of Oerlikon’s European production. “Sustainable mobility and transportation options, including cycling, are megatrends as people steer toward environmentally friendly options to stay mobile. We see great opportunity in this market.”
If you are visiting formnext, you can see the bike in booth E101, Hall 12.1 from November 16-19, 2021, at Frankfurt am Main.
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