You probably didn’t know this yet, but APWorks is a division of the renowned French airplane manufacturer Airbus. They’ve been working really hard lately on exhibiting the wide applicability of 3D manufacturing processes, and during the process they came up with the wicked Light Rider, a gorgeous electric motorcycle which weights in at only 35 kilograms.
Equipped with a six kilowatt motor, this unique bike will take merely seconds to accelerate to 80 km/h. Originally produced from billions of particles of special aluminum alloy, welded by laser sintering, the frame of this bike looks a bit odd at first glance, but it’s totally interesting.
That’s because its shape was determined by theoretical algorithms that considered the loads occurring during riding and delivered this organic layout.
This elaborate project proves that the aforementioned algorithm might be used in other industries as well, opening a new chapter on 3D printed designs. The hollow frame of this bike also makes wiring a breeze, since wires can run through the whole structure, with all the mounting points integrated together.
And since the Light Rider benefits from an aluminum frame, that means you’ll never see rust on this motorcycle. Furthermore, the special alloy will be deformed just before breaking, ensuring safety of the rider is a priority. APWorks apparently plans to 3D print 50 limited edition frames, although I’m not sure if purchasing one of these bikes will be ever an option.
