Demonstrate the potential of a new 3D printing method
3D printing has exploded in popularity in the last decade, but for those wanting to print medium to large scale objects, there are still significant limitations in the technology. A new method of 3D printing makes it possible to produce medium to large scale metal objects with almost total form freedom.
Goals of the project
The goal of the project was to design a showcase product that fully benefits from a new technology of using multi axis robotic arms as 3D printers. This allows metals and resins to be printed mid-air in any direction without the need for support structures.
Arc Bicycle
The research group created the first of its kind 3D-printed steel bicycle, the "Arc Bicycle". It weighs about the same as a normal steel bicycle. This research will encourage the development 3D printed bicycles in the future.
3D Building FieldLab
The bike is a result of a research project at the Industrial Design Engineering 3D Building FieldLab. The students achieved the goal of their three-month project by printing the frame of the bicycle with the help of MX3D in Amsterdam.
Media
The Arc Bicycle gets a lot of (international) media attention.
Researchers
- Harry Anderson (Industrial Design, RMIT University, Melbourne)
- Stef de Groot (IDE, TU Delft)
- Ainoa Areso Rossi (CEG, TU Delft)
- Sjoerd van de Velde (ME, TU Delft)
- Joost Vreeken (AE, TU Delft)