On June 19, 2023, the German Trumpf Group (TRUMPF) and the bicycle brake manufacturer Trickstuff demonstrated for the first time at the European International Bicycle Show (Eurobike) held in Frankfurt, a bicycle titanium brake handle made by 3D printing, through 3D printing technology It enables the processing of titanium materials to achieve cost-effectiveness.
Manufacture of bicycle brake levers with TRUMPF 3D printing technology
Until now, the bicycle industry has generally used carbon as a material for high-quality brake levers. However, the environmental performance of this material is low. Manufacturers cannot recycle the carbon material and usually incinerate it. Titanium is more environmentally friendly and stronger than carbon. Manufacturers can use titanium to create harder titanium brake levers than other materials.
Manufacturers can use 3D printers to customize brake levers. Not only is it suitable for the design of titanium materials, but also the strength of the brake lever can be customized according to the needs of the rider. “Since TRUMPF’s 3D printing technology is also designed for series production, the bicycle industry can also use it for mass production. Components subject to heavy stress can thus be produced cost-effectively.” Christian Lengwenat, application engineer at TRUMPF express.
Manufacture of brake levers with the TruPrint 1000
Trumpf’s 3D printing technology also allows companies in the bicycle industry to speed up the production of prototypes. “With 3D printers, manufacturers can produce different prototypes simultaneously in one printing process, which greatly speeds up the prototyping process in the bicycle industry,” Lengwenat said. To date, manufacturers have mostly produced prototype parts by milling, which is time-consuming and expensive.
Titanium brake handle
About Trumpf
TRUMPF is a high-tech company that provides manufacturing solutions for machine tools and laser technology. The company drives the digital connection of the manufacturing industry through consulting, platform products, and software. TRUMPF is the technology and market leader in the fields of flexible sheet metal processing machines and industrial lasers.
