Eurocompositi won the EUROBIKE AWARD 2015 for eco-friendly 3D printed ‘AENIMAL BHULCK’ bike
The Padua-based design studio Eurocompositi has developed an amazing 3D printed PLA ‘Aenimal Bhulk’ mountain bike frame capable of being ridden, and have on the Eurobike Gold award for their efforts.
Image credit: Aenimal.it
During the prize-giving ceremony, the jury stated that: “The Aenimal Bhulk could start a new trend. It’s the first mountain bike where a 3D printer is used to make the frame from biodegradable, recyclable, and recycled materials. We’re presenting this innovation with an award because its technology is so visionary that it could revolutionize the way bikes are customized and manufactured.”
Image credit: Aenimal.it
The inventor’s big challenge was to use new and highly technological materials like PLA, make the design according to the special material characteristics, and produce a frame that is stiff and usable.
The applied 3D printing process consists of a fused filament deposition by a special CNC machine, able to make very complex objects without shape limits that are typical of the standard molding process.
The main target behind the AENIMAL project was to obtain an ecological, environmentally sustainable bike. Therefore, they chose to use 3D FDM printing machines with biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable PLA biopolymers.
A feasibility analysis was conducted to determine the most correct printing processes and printing materials. R&D was fundamental to designing the right tube shapes and dimensions in order to obtain stiffness and durability.
Presently, they are exploring some partners interested in creating a new startup for this incredible bike. Till then, we will have to wait for riding this bike.
