Arevo (Milpitas, California, USA) announced on August 27 that it will exhibit the world's first 3D printed carbon fiber monolithic bicycle frame at Eurobike 2019 in Friedrichshafen, Germany next week. Also on display was 3evo printed thermoplastic frames from Arevo, designed by StudioWest's Eurobike Gold Award-winning industrial designer Bill Stephens. The frames and rims will be displayed on the stand of Arevo's manufacturing partner Oechsler AG (Ansbach, Germany).
Bicycle parts are produced by the company's "Arevo DNA" technology, an additive manufacturing (AM) process with patented software algorithms that can be used to generate design techniques for free-moving robots with "true 3D" structures And direct energy sources for the deposition of almost void-free structures in anisotropic composites.
The company said that its Arevo DNA AM process shortened the design and final manufacturing of bicycle frames from 18 months to days and significantly reduced production costs. Other benefits reportedly include:
Continuous and mass production of AM composite parts made of thermoplastic materials,
A fully automatic "light out" production method to replace manual processes,
The ability to localize manufacturing or "support" to create greater independence for bicycle brands, and
The freedom of design of bicycle manufacturers creates the possibility to make fully custom bicycles on demand.
"Arevo DNA provides a new paradigm for product designers, and it has forever changed the way we design and build anything," Stephens said. "This technology allows us to push the boundaries of design in ways that have not been achieved so far. Arevo is transforming the paradigm into 'manufacturing design.'"
At Eurobike 2019, Stephens will give a talk entitled "3D printed carbon fiber frame production" on Thursday, September 5th at 11am.
Arevo will also introduce demonstration rides for electric bikes using this innovative frame and material, and will announce new electric bike frame designs and customers who will showcase the new electric bikes at the Eurobike showroom.