FOCUS ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
DISRUPTING
“ Extreme bike tuner , Dangerholm , steers into the future with 3D printing …”
THE CYCLE
Dangerholm ’ s mountain bike with 3D-printed handlebar . Image / copyright : Gustav Gullholm .
Dangerholm ’ s prototype of the bike of the future was showcased at Eurobike 2024 as a fully operational mountain bike . Its new and futuristic handlebar was 3D-printed by TRUMPF on the TruPrint .
Extreme bike tuner , Dangerholm , is making science-fiction reality . His idea of the bike of the future poses challenges for manufacturers but , with TRUMPF and TruPrint metal 3D printers , a prototype was ready to ride recently at Eurobike 2024 .
Denim vest , shorts and a bike : the envy of the cycling world . This is how the extreme bike tuner , Dangerholm ( alias Gustav Gullholm ) is seen in countless photos . His concept : building bikes out of a pure passion for aesthetics and riding . With perfectionism and a wealth of ideas , the tuner has produced bikes that have made him one of the stars of the bike industry .
And one of his ideas ? A completely new handlebar . The Norwegian-born mechanic , who lives in Sweden , first built it with wood and said : “ Compared to what the TRUMPF engineers achieved , my design was rather caveman-like .”
In addition to its futuristic design , the handlebar is essentially based on a unit with semi-internal ducts for the brake cables . Assembly and maintenance is designed to be completed without time-consuming disassembly and brake bleeding . A ‘ snap-push ’ connection made this possible , with the cables running along channels and being held in place by clips . These clips have undercuts , meaning they would require a very complicated mould to make the handlebar with carbon .
“ 3D printing is better in terms of process technology and gives a more elegant design ,” TRUMPF explained . The German sheet metal specialist is a pioneer in additive technologies , offering its TruPrint range of 3D printers .
76 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2024