Mar 7, 2019 | By Thomas
Engineers from the Technical University of Ostrava (VŠB -TUO) in the Czech Republic have created the first 3D printed scooter with a stainless steel bionic frame in collaboration with the UK-based manufacturer Renishaw.
The scooter was designed in Protolab, an additive manufacturing centre based at the university, VŠB, and partly funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic within PRE SEED VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava Fund project. According to the leader of Protolab team Marek Pagac, their prototype is about a quarter of a lighter than if it was made by the traditional method. The scooter weighs 3.5 pounds and has a hollow frame consisting of four parts. "Besides saving the material we have made the parts lightweight and hollow. W put the greatest emphasis on the attractive scooter design and its distinctive sporty look," Pagac added.
The university has been working on this project with 3D printer company Renishaw which lent a 3D printer to them last year. The frame was designed in four segments and then 3D printed in metal. The parts were then welded together using traditional methods.
"We wanted to go by something that has not yet been realized," says Petr Štefek of Protolab, who worked as a team mentor. "In addition, scooters are currently experiencing revival, many people are driving on them, which was attractive to us."
Currently the VŠB -TUO team is working on a second-generation scooter in which a 3D printed frame can be produced in one piece, reducing welding costs and production time. They hope to unveil it at the International Engineering Fair in Brno this October.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- 3Diligent produces 140 3D printed components for Seattle's second tallest tower
- LLNL researchers 3D print live cells that convert glucose to ethanol and CO2
- TUM architects create 3D printed façade for Munich's Deutsches Museum
- US army works with air force-invented steel alloy to 3D print ultra-strong steel parts
- 3D bioprinted, vascularized proximal tubules mimic human kidney functions
- Fraunhofer IWU develops high-speed Screw Extrusion AM system for high-performance plastics
- Breakthrough - Mobile bedside 3D bioprinter can print skin to heal wounds
- LLNL creates multibeam metal 3D printer to understand laser-material interactions
- UOW researchers develop 3D Alek bioprinter to combat congenital ear deformity
- USPTO approves Authentise secure streaming and monitoring patent for digital manufacturing
What part of this is bionic?
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
