MACH 2014 - Renishaw ramps up additive manufacturing services
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Renishaw, the UK's only manufacturer of additive manufacturing machines, will highlight its involvement in the production of the world's first 3D printed metal bike frame.
Empire Cycles, based in Bolton, designed the mountain bike to take advantage of Renishaw's additive manufacturing technology, allowing it to create a titanium alloy frame that would be both strong and light. Individual sections have been bonded together and the new frame is some 33% lighter than the original.
Renishaw is also contributing its knowledge in additive manufacturing to create prototype parts for the Bloodhound Supersonic Car, which will attempt to break the 1,000 mph speed barrier during summer 2015, and which is also being displayed at MACH 2014.
One of the most critical components is the nose tip for the car, which is subject to forces as high as 12 tonnes per square metre. To cope with such loadings, a prototype tip has been designed in titanium and will be bonded to Bloodhound's carbon fibre monocoque body which forms the front-half of the car.
Following the acquisition of the assets of LBC Laser Bearbeitungs Center GmbH in May 2013, Renishaw is now able to offer additional additive manufacturing services, including design and simulation, and the contract manufacture of metal prototypes and production parts.
Visit them on Stand 4664 in Hall 4.
