In recent years,3D printingTechnology has become more and more mature and is used in all fields. Recently, Mohou.com learned that THOK also announced that it will use the world’s first metal.3D printingTechnology to produce electric mountain bike frames, and the P4 electric mountain bike is expected to be launched in 2024.
In order to create a new metal structure prototype that can withstand various terrains, THOK found creative ways to turn the concept into reality. To achieve this, THOK partnered with Materialize, a Belgian company specializing in 3D printing of aerospace and automotive parts. Materialize’s technology is called selective laser melting (SLM), an additive manufacturing procedure that uses lasers to melt metal powders. This also means its 3D printed products can withstand enormous forces.
The THOK prototype is made up of six 3D printed parts welded together and will likely look very different from the full carbon fiber frame of the final production version. But having a prototype with a metal reinforced frame means that THOK can test important parameters of the P4 vehicle, such as suspension, frame shape, handling and integration with the engine, etc., thus providing sufficient data to improve the production version of P4.
In terms of motors, THOK will configure Bosch Performance Line SX motors for the P4. This is Bosch’s latest performance-focused e-bike system and is known as one of the lightest in the industry. Bosch says the Performance Line SX inherits the benefits of the Performance Line CX and reduces weight with a magnesium housing.
As for the battery, the production version of the P4 will offer a variety of batteries to choose from. The electric mountain bike will also be equipped with battery solutions covering 400Wh, 500Wh, 625Wh and 750Wh, with the option to add a 250Wh range. expander.
The Thok P4 electric mountain bike is expected to be officially launched in 2024.
If you use the traditional method of opening the mold to make a prototype that can be assembled and tested, it’s impossible to get it done quickly, and there’s also the necessary integration of batteries and motors. Due to the traditional method, some parts are made by hydroforming, which requires mold development. This approach will not only increase the time cost but also the economic cost.
Even using carbon fiber as a prototype material will not be fully effective because the material properties of carbon fiber are doomed to not be able to withstand long-term field testing. In this sense, THOK was the pioneer3D metal printingFull-size electric bicycles will solve a major link in the design and production of electric bicycles, saving more time and money. In the future, they may be applied to automobile manufacturing, motorcycle manufacturing, or other fields.
Source: Chinese 3D Printing Network
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