Scientists at EADS make it possible to own a custom-made printable bike

This Airbike is the world's first bicycle made by printing on a computer. No manufacturing plant, no assembly of hundreds of miniscule parts, no traditional maintenance, but all the durability and lightness you could ask for.

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Using ground-breaking technology, scientists at the European Aeronautic Defense and Space group (EADS) have made this Airbike from fine nylon powder. Nylon is extremely durable, as much as steel or aluminum. The use of nylon makes it about 65% less heavy than bikes made with traditional metals.

The Airbike is first designed on the computer and then sent for printing. The printer contains fine powder of the printing component, in this case, nylon. It breaks up the 3D image into multiple layers of 2D images. These 2D images are then printed, using a laser beam to first melt the nylon particles, layer by layer, to form this completely functional, light weight, durable bike.

Since buyers can customize the bike when it is being made, there is no necessity for any adjustment. Unlike traditional bikes, this one does not have multiple components like pedals, handles, gears, etc., which are made separately and then assembled. It is complete in itself and therefore less prone to maintenance requirements.

The manufacturing process of the bike, in which one layer is added to another, is called "Additive Layer Manufacturing". Materials other than nylon which can be used in this manufacturing process are stainless steel, aluminium or even carbon-reinforced plastic.

This path-breaking procedure has many advantages over traditional bike-manufacturing processes. It reduces waste by using only ten percent of materials, the resultant products are light-weight, can be made as per user requirement with no additional cost and are as durable as any other traditional bike. According to Andy Hawkins, lead engineer at EADS, the possible applications of this technology are immense.

Picture Gallery

EADS Printed Bike

Images of printable bike

Source: DailyMail / Gizmag