We have seen glasses in many shapes but this is probably the first time that we witness the combination of titanium and AM for the production of cycling glasses. These accessories are usually made of Polycarbonate and Trivex. POC, a Swedish manufacturer of high-performance protection equipment for snow sports and cycling, has demonstrated they can be produced in another way.
In the world of performance cycling, and a search for speed above all else, the quest for performance efficiency has shifted focus away from the original and inherently sustainable aspects of cycling to become more resource intensive.
This constant push in the world of performance cycling to find where the limits of possibility lie has driven technology further and further, but material choice has been driven by performance characteristics alone. POC challenges this way of thinking, and collaborates with Swedish metal AM specialist AIM Sweden that leveraged Electron Beam Melting (EBM) technology as part of the manufacturing process. EBM is a manufacturing process in which a powdered metal is melted by a high-energy beam of electrons.
“We wanted to explore if it was possible to harness a more sustainable approach while still focusing on performance. A way to utilise methods and technologies that enable performance and sustainable thinking to go together. In developing the Elicit Ti, we sought to find a way to deliver all the benefits needed to stay at the cutting edge of performance cycling while being considerate of the resources we use. We think we found a way”, the company states.
Still relatively new to the world of cycling, AM has allowed here for very precise constructions, and ensured there is no excess material usage, no cut-offs from the edges of a mold that go to waste.
Sunglasses are a product where rigidity and flexibility need to be perfectly in balance so that a rider can see every detail of what lies ahead in absolute comfort. The featherweight temples highlight a minimal truss structure on each side to improve rigidity and keep the large Clarity lens firmly in place so that the wearer’s vision remains sharp on every ride.
We concluded that residual medical-grade titanium would provide the rigidity and lightness needed for comfort and performance. Being left over from other manufacturing processes, this also helps us minimise the use of virgin materials, the company notes.
This limited-edition model of just 365 pieces tips the scale at just 22 grams, yet thanks to the strength of the titanium, the sunglasses are said to deliver optimal stiffness, comfort and balance. The Elicit Ti glasses are now available for the price of €400.
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