Wishbone in place on bike's suspension
The 3D printed wishbone in place on the Moto2's suspension.
Renishaw has renewed its sponsorship of TransFIORmers, the French Moto2 racing team for which it additively manufactured (AM) an integral suspension component for in 2016.
The British engineering firm partnered with I3D Concept, a specialist in metal AM parts, to develop and produce a titanium wishbone part on the Renishaw AM250 machine. Since, the motor racing team has recorded significant improvements on the track.
TransFIORmers, led by former rider Christian Boudinot, is based in Perigueux, France and won its first race at the CEV Repsol European Championship in June 2016. The design of its custom bike is inspired by legendary motorbike designer Claude Fior. In recent races, the team has regularly finished in the top five. In 2018, the team will attend the CEV European Championships, building up to the French Grand Prix on May 20th.
The TransFIORmers team considers itself to be the only Moto2 team to use AM to produce a structural component for the bike – a titanium wishbone formed part of its revolutionary front suspension system. By working with Renishaw and I3D Concept the team achieved a 600g weight saving on the part.
TransFIORmers Moto2 bike
Renishaw to showcase TransFIORmers Moto2 bike at TCT Show
“Additive manufacturing is becoming a more popular technique in racing events,” explained Chris Pockett, Head of Communications at Renishaw. “In high-speed, high-performance applications like Moto2, the America’s cup and even the supersonic car, BLOODHOUND SSC, Renishaw’s additive manufacturing expertise has allowed teams to maximise performance and gain a competitive edge.”
“Following the success of the wishbone, we are now designing more and more parts to be additively manufactured,” added Jérôme Aldeguer, Mechanical Engineer, TransFIORmers. “Not all parts can be made in titanium, so we are looking to alternative materials to manufacture brackets, footrests, a chain tensioner and other essential parts of the bike.
“Additive manufacturing increases flexibility for improving the bike. We can change our designs easily, without tooling, and are also able to optimise the topology of each part. In 2019, we plan to use additive manufacturing on a larger scale – including a total redesign of the bike as part of the move from a Honda to a Triumph engine.”
In 2016, TCT Magazine spoke to Aldeguer about the partnership between Renishaw and TransFIORmers, and the following year the engineering company showcased the racing bike at TCT Show.
