Another crazy O'Toole (no relation... ?) has just completed the RV100, a machine where all parts were designed on the computer, milled using a CNC machine, and where the only welds occur in the fuel tank:
The concept behind the bike is to eliminate the paradigm of the welded tubular frame. Welded tube frame are labor intensive, require expensive jigs and fixturing, and the quality of the weld is very much dependant on the quality of the welder. In contrast, the RV100 frame components are cut on a numerically controlled machine (CNC). This makes the production of parts very repeatable, and makes the production of unique parts routine.
Very, very interesting technique, and also pretty interesting to look at, even for a test mule.
Being someone who uses Solidworks and owns as well we regularly uses CNC machines and 3D printers. This design is pretty bland and UN-imaginative, To feature it as such, really doesn't give CAD/CAM enough credit.
ReplyDeleteMy Previous comment was not to undermine the efforts of the creator of this bike, he has done a good job and shown a good level of craftsmanship. I am just saying the things that can be actually done with CNC is amazing and can be pushed a lot further. E.g. https://www.google.com/search?q=cnc+machined&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhk8nbhKDRAhVoqFQKHdnoC0UQ_AUICSgC&biw=1718&bih=949#tbm=isch&q=cnc+machined+bike&imgrc=ql5NfaOk7R6omM%3A
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