Futurewave, a Belgian company with a team of 25 designers and engineers, known for its innovative products in the fields of transport, electronics and furniture, recently presented its new bicycle. Called Alyx, it was partly manufactured by 3D printing. Another example of the usefulness of 3D technologies in the creation of bicycles.
What stands out in particular about this bike is its innovative design and the minimalist aesthetics of its aluminum frame, which combines various functions. The Alyx’s battery is openly visible, giving the bike a bold, elegant appearance. According to Joachim Froment, the designer of the Alyx bike, design must combine advanced technology with creativity.
The assemblies are based on biomimetic principles, offering stability and aesthetic harmony (photo credits: Futurewave).
To create Alyx, teams used additive manufacturing, and more metal 3D printing. Thanks to this method, standardized parts for the frame of the bicycle could be produced that are aesthetically pleasing and are manufactured without the use of molds or tools. The system they developed is called “plug-and-play” and allows the parts to be easily fitted together. This is intended to make assembly, maintenance and part replacement less complicated. Furthermore, the team turned to generative tools, which were used to improve the technical performance of the Alyx wheel. The standardized system, in which each part can be inserted into another, is inspired by biomimetics and its organic compounds.
This new system overcomes the challenges of traditional bicycle construction, where the use of tools is expensive and the replacement of parts is difficult. Thanks to the process, expensive welding or tooling is no longer required and the bike’s functions can be easily modified. For example, the Alyx bike can be converted from a children’s bike into a bike for adults. The parts can then be kept and replaced.
X-ray of the bike (photo credits: Futurewave)
Futurewave’s aim is to use additive manufacturing in the assembly process too. In any case, we look forward to see what other projects come out of the manufacturers. If you would like to learn more about the Alyx bike or Futurewave, you can check out the company’s website HERE.
What do you think of the Alyx bike and the use of 3D printing in its manufacturing process? Would you want a 3D printed electric bike? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here for the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover Photo Credits: Futurewave