How 3D Printed Motorcycle Parts Improve the Manufacturing Process?

The application of the 3D printing technology is so vast that the majority of industries become dependable with it. Several companies are now investing to have their own 3D printer that they can use in the manufacturing. This is also evident in producing 3D printed motorcycle parts which is a growing trend in many motorcycle companies.

 

More and more motorcycle producers shift to additive manufacturing from their traditional manufacturing technologies. Before, these factories relied a lot on laser cutting and CNC milling to create a complex design for their automotive parts. Meanwhile, some businesses that want to cut costs combine technology with some handmade custom parts.

 

Now, the three-dimensional technology makes crafting motorcycle parts more convenient for the producers and designers. Let’s take a look at some improvements made possible by using 3D printed motorcycle parts.

Affordable Motorcycle Parts

This is one of the best things that happened after several manufacturing companies shifted to additive manufacturing. They reported a 90% reduction from their production cost because of the 3D printers. BORN Motor Co. saves $2,500 or ₱136,000 per modified motorcycle they’ve produced.

 

This is a big amount especially if you’re making a lot of motorcycles annually. You can use this saved amount to produce more custom motorbike to improve your branding. 

 

On top of that, the usual price per parts range between $500 to $1000 which you can reduce to $25 if you use a 3D printer. So aside from producing a whole scooter or minibike, you can also provide custom parts for your existing customers. They no longer have to get it wholesale which is what other factories are doing if someone wants customized parts.

Faster Motorcycle Parts Production Time

Generally speaking, the estimated manufacturing time for a motorcycle parts is between 2-3 weeks. This is for complex parts like the frame and suspension. Meanwhile, it will take you 24 hours per part if you do the handcraft process. But, you can only use it for simple parts like the seat and handles.

 

On the other hand, a 3D printer can produce any motorcycle components (regardless of its complexity) within 5-8 hours. Meaning you can triple or quadruple your production volume just by using an additive manufacturing process.

Unlimited Design Concept

Most designers have a limitation when designing a motorcycle since CNC milling and laser cutting don’t have the ability to cut complicated shapes. They have to be careful with sharp edges or there’s a possibility of error during the production phase. Thus, most of the motorbikes available in the market have similar features from each other.

 

However, 3D printing allows the designers to be more creative with their design. They can use sharp edges as printers can produce any design from the software. In addition to that, they can also test the concept before mass production using 3D rapid prototyping.

Accuracy

Speaking of complex shapes, there are some instances that handcrafted motor parts are not compatible with the size of the motorcycle. Therefore it creates an additional workload since you need to redo the parts that are not accurate.

 

3D Printer ensures 99% accuracy of the design. You also don’t have to worry if you have no experience in operating a 3D printer since some of them are user-friendly. For example, the Snapmaker Original offers quality 3D items and also comes with a laser engraving and CNC carving area.

 

Another possible 3D printer that you can use is the Flashforge Creator Pro which is useful for 3D prints that require multicolored design. It has dual extruders that enhance the color quality of the model.

Lighter Components

Some automotive manufacturers reported that using 3D printing reduced the weight of their cars and motorcycles to 74% less than the original part. This means vehicles with 3D printed parts are faster and more mobile compared to their counterparts.

 

It is also the reason why many international racing teams like BSB, World SBK, and MotoGP are also shifting into using 3D printed motorcycle parts. BMW recently announced that they will use three-dimensional technology in producing the frame of BMW S 1000 RR Motorbike.

 

According to Marc Bongers, director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, it is easier to install the 3D printed frame because it is lightweight. Besides that, the computer sets the accurate dimensions and positions of screws so it’s more convenient to assemble it.

Waste Reduction

As stated, most motorcycle manufacturers use laser cutting and CNC milling for their mass production. They need a block of material to carve the pattern they need for the motorcycle parts. Once done, they have to dispose of the excess material from the carved pattern. They can no longer use it for other projects since it’s just parts of the whole material.

 

However, 3D printers use filaments depending on the size of the project. You will significantly reduce the waste if not eliminate it at all. On top of that, PLA and ABS filaments are also more affordable compared to block materials used for subtractive manufacturing.

 

3D Printing Company in the Philippines for Motorcycle Parts

If you’re looking for a supplier for your 3D printed motorcycle parts then you can go to 3D2GO. We have a wide range of services that will surely benefit any motorbike enthusiasts. Our service include:

3D Printing

We can 3D print all motorcycle parts you want regardless of the size and shape of the design. Our product can also withstand great heat up to 100°C using ABS filament. So, we guarantee durable and reliable 3D printed parts.

3D Scanning

Our technology can scan any parts that you want to put in your motorbike. We have several scanners to capture any object from a really small one to a big part. One of the scanners available in our company is Calibry Handheld 3D Scanner. This scanner is so portable but can scan any object including a whole vehicle.

3D Designing

We also offer modification of any parts if you want to have a custom motorcycle. Our team uses several software to accurately alter any design and make sure it will fit with the current appearance of the motorcycle.

3D Reverse Engineering

We disassemble any motorcycle and analyze the function of any parts using 3D reverse engineering. Once we have the feature of the motorcycle parts then we can apply it to your project so you can enjoy that function too with the new design.

3D Rapid Prototyping

Before mass production, we can test out the effectiveness of your design with 3D rapid prototyping. Unlike other prototyping processes that will take a couple of months to produce, we can only do it for a maximum of 1 week. It will save you more time and the risk of any error during the manufacturing phase.

 

As you can see, we have tons of services that involve three-dimensional technology. In fact, we are the only end-to-end 3D printing service provider in the Philippines. So contact us today and let’s talk about the project you have in mind.