Silca has recently introduced a £175 / $175 3D-printed titanium bike computer mount, compatible with various stem faceplates. Cycling computer mounts are useful when securing a GPS device to a bike’s handlebars or frame.
Italian bicycle parts manufacturer named the concept MENSOLA, and described it as “the world’s smartest computer mount, [designed using 3D printing] in 6Al/4V Titanium by lasers”.
At the heart of this development lies a single question: “What if we could remove traditional manufacturing constraints from the design of a computer mount?” According to the company, most users find it useless to have an extra clamp on their handlebar. Therefore, their team has imagined Mensola to 3D print each mount to the exact stem faceplate specification of the user.
The 3D printed mounts would be stronger, lighter, and more aerodynamic than a CNC-machined aluminum equivalent.
Sicla has invested in the machinery to print titanium at the end of 2020 and since the beginning of 2021, it has been developing accessories.
From a technological standpoint, the team relied on architecture and aerospace engineering when deciding on a design for the Mensola. They develop a “stressed skin design”, which features two external layers joined together with internal truss elements. This allows Silca to use the minimal amount of material required.
Thanks to 3D printing, the Silca team has been able to develop various sizes of the mounts, with different faceplate geometries to increase its compatibility with bicycles and cycle computers alike.
For the bicycle component brand, this release marks the beginning of a wider 3D printing project which will involve several World Tour cycling teams. We hope to hear from the Silca team soon then!
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