The New 'VRZ 2 BELT' Titanium Bicycle Can Be Printed at Home
— May 15, 2013 — Tech
References: ralfholleis & thecoolist
Ralf Holleis's new creation, the 'VRZ 2 Belt' 3D bike, is no ordinary means of transportation. In fact, it was created entirely by a 3D printer.
Most of the bike frame was formed of flexible titanium, which was then shaped by the 3D printer into a functional bike frame. Holleis intended for the bike to be lightweight but heavy-duty, and that's exactly what he got. Weighing in at 11 pounds, this bike is only as heavy as an overweight newborn, but is very shock-absorbent and capable of some hardcore trail rides.
In addition to titanium, the 'VRZ 2 Belt' 3D bike is also made up of carbon-fiber wheels and a belt-drive crank system, all created using a 3D printer.
With all the new 3D printer-created objects gaining fame recently, it's clear that the 3D printer is something that could revolutionize production strategies -- perhaps consumers might eventually be able to create products for themselves in their own homes.
Most of the bike frame was formed of flexible titanium, which was then shaped by the 3D printer into a functional bike frame. Holleis intended for the bike to be lightweight but heavy-duty, and that's exactly what he got. Weighing in at 11 pounds, this bike is only as heavy as an overweight newborn, but is very shock-absorbent and capable of some hardcore trail rides.
In addition to titanium, the 'VRZ 2 Belt' 3D bike is also made up of carbon-fiber wheels and a belt-drive crank system, all created using a 3D printer.
With all the new 3D printer-created objects gaining fame recently, it's clear that the 3D printer is something that could revolutionize production strategies -- perhaps consumers might eventually be able to create products for themselves in their own homes.
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Bikes - The trend of 3D-printed bikes opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the transportation industry by enabling customized and lightweight designs.
2. Flexible Titanium - The trend of using flexible titanium in 3D printing offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the materials industry, allowing for the creation of strong yet lightweight products.
3. Home 3D Printing - The trend of home 3D printing presents disruptive innovation possibilities across various industries, enabling consumers to produce custom objects without relying on traditional manufacturing processes.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - The transportation industry could explore disruptive innovations by leveraging 3D printing technology to manufacture lightweight and customizable bicycles, transforming traditional manufacturing processes.
2. Materials - The materials industry can embrace the disruptive potential of flexible titanium in 3D printing, leading to the production of strong and versatile products with reduced weight and increased flexibility.
3. Manufacturing - The manufacturing industry could be disrupted by home 3D printing, empowering consumers to create personalized products and bypass traditional supply chains, offering new business models and market opportunities.
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