Test & measurement
method can build lighter components than traditional manufacturing methods. Before undertaking this project with the
Great Britain Cycling Team, Renishaw already had significant experience in the use of 3D printing for bicycle manufacture. It has worked closely with extreme mountain bike manufacturer, Atherton; produced components for the ARION4 project team that achieved the male and female world record speeds for hand cycling in 2018; and in 2013 produced the world’s first metal 3D printed bike frame for mountain bike manufacturer, Empire Cycles, an achievement that was recognised by Guinness World Records. “Renishaw joined the Olympic track bike
project in 2019 and became involved in the design for manufacture stage,” explains Ben Collins design/development engineer at Renishaw. “By implementing additive manufacturing (AM) into the design and prototyping stage, our team was able to quickly manufacture the design changes, so the aerodynamic capabilities of the design could be tested. Ensuring the design was light, geometrically correct and strong enough to endure the strain from the riders was a constant balancing act, so many iterations were created to find the ideal balance.” “Additive manufacturing does not require any
medallist, Chris Boardman, in the 1990s, collaborated with cycling component manufacturer, Hope Technology, to build the HB.T. As part of the project, Lotus and Hope wanted to improve the bike’s speed to help the Great Britain Cycling Team improve its performances and push for medals.
Challenges
To ensure the new bike was as aerodynamic as possible, Lotus Engineering and Hope Technology made constant adaptations during the design phase. Each design change needed to be submitted to the UCI, creating a time lag that meant there was not enough time to produce moulds for the carbon fibre frames, handlebars and forks. As a result, small design changes could take months to manufacture and test when using carbon fibre manufacturing methods. Most velodrome bikes have carbon
handlebars to help improve aerodynamics, reduce weight, dampen vibrations and increase stiffness to maximise handling precision. To produce carbon handlebars, manufacturers need to create a mould to the shape of the current design and then start manufacturing the handlebars. Small changes to the design mean this process has to be repeated multiple times before any parts are manufactured, increasing the time lag from design change to testing.
solution
Through British Cycling, Lotus Engineering approached Renishaw during the design for manufacturing phase. Lotus Engineering needed metal additive manufacturing support to improve the bike handlebar performance because this
Instrumentation Monthly May 2022
3D printed titanium and aluminium handlebar components (image courtesy Lotus Engineering).
Results
Renishaw initially used its AM expertise to rapidly produce plastic and metal prototype parts to undertake aerodynamic testing of the new design and ensure that parts were light, geometrically correct and strong enough to endure the strain from riders. After proof of concept, the company then used its own RenAM 500Q AM systems to additively manufacture aluminium and titanium parts, including handlebars, for the competition bikes, with parts customised for individual athletes. Renishaw helped Lotus and Hope use AM to produce a carbon fibre design for the bike’s frame
bespoke tooling, such as casting moulds, which are specific to each job,” continues Collins. “During the prototyping stage, we are creating one-off batches, which can be carried out much faster by using AM technology, compared to more traditional casting methods.”
that improved its aerodynamics, such as a fork with a flared profile to minimise drag. Renishaw’s engineering and AM knowledge also allowed Hope and Lotus to achieve a speedy production process with an improved design turnaround. “The development of the new track bike
reflects our aspiration to be the world leaders in innovation and aerodynamics,” commented Stephen Park OBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team. “It has been an impressive collaborative effort with our partners to produce a research-backed and courageously innovative track bike.” “The world is embracing the rapid
development cycle and additive manufacturing is probably the biggest single step,” comments Tony Purnell, former head of technology for the Great Britain Cycling Team. “When you do something new and brave you have lots of difficulties to overcome and that is where Renishaw has been fantastic. The Renishaw team has worked with the engineers to do the refinement at break-neck speed, in the past it would take months to go from the drawing board to a piece that you could try in the test rig or in the velodrome and now we can do it in weeks.” “It’s a dream team of engineering prowess.
Hope Technology brings high quality manufacturing standards and Lotus Engineering is renowned for lightweight design and outstanding aerodynamic efficiency,” continues Purnell. “Both supported and advised by additive manufacturing experts Renishaw, who has ensured that Lotus and Hope have access to the most modern and fastest turnaround process from design to usable pieces.” “Your bike just becomes an extension of your
body, and you get used to how it feels and how it sounds. It’s unusual that you get on a completely different bike and straight away it feels better,” comments Ed Clancy OBE, triple Olympic Cycling Gold Medalist. “It was exciting to see Renishaw’s additive
manufacturing expertise play a pivotal part in Great Britain’s push for Olympic gold medals at Tokyo,” explains Ben Collins, Renishaw’s AM Design/Development Engineer. “The team won three gold medals, three silver and one bronze, which was a brilliant achievement for the cyclists and a great showcase for the benefits of additive manufacturing.” At Tokyo 2020, the HB.T bikes also helped to
make British Olympic history. Laura Kenny became the most successful British female Olympian of all time after winning a gold medal in the Madison with Katie Archibald, and silver medal in the women's team pursuit. Jason Kenny also became Britain’s most successful Olympian ever, winning gold in the men's keirin and silver in the men’s team sprint. A video showing Renishaw’s early involvement
in the development of the HB.T bike can be seen at
https://youtu.be/vYa7rSaiAOA To find out more about Renishaw’s AM
solutions, visit the website
www.renishaw.com/am.
Renishaw
www.renishaw.com 57
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