3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / Automotive / BMW 3D Printing Superbike Components at the Track



BMW 3D Printing Superbike Components at the Track

November 4, 2020

German automaker BMW is very big on additive manufacturing, especially when it comes to their research and development, having recently opened the doors to their Additive Manufacturing Campus for business just outside of Munich, Germany. Last year they managed to print over 300,000 parts, making them one of the largest producers of 3D printed automotive components on the planet.

They have recently taken their development efforts trackside, to enable rapid prototyping of test items for their racing bikes while they have track time. Not all engineering is possible inside a sterile lab. Sometimes you have to get out there and thrash the heck out of it (whatever it may be).

In this case, the automaker has been testing development parts for their motorcycles, and have taken their 3D printers to the track to enable fast-iteration of parts under test, based on the results of the track performance of the bikes on the day.

bmw
Research goes mobile. BMW puts the printer on their truck for some field research (Image credit: BMW)

Specifically, BMW Motorrad Motorsport have been developing new components for their BMW S 1000RR World Superbike, which you can see in the image above.

“This technology allows us to make improvements to the RR quickly and efficiently. The development of a WorldSBK bike is an ongoing process and it is often the minor details that make a motorbike better,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers.

“We can use 3D printing to implement these [design changes] at the racetrack, even during race events. We then take the acquired data and the subsequent analyses – combined with comments from the drivers or input from the mechanics working on the bike itself – and generate input for the development team.”

For example, at the WorldSBK double-header at Jerez (Spain) and Portimão (Portugal) recently, the team took rider data from the first race, and printed a new optimized shock absorber linkage system prototype, where it was installed trackside.

The final optimized part was then sent to a local manufacturer who had the final part manufactured and ready for the second race just days later. This rapid turnaround was enabled by the combined testing and feedback allowed from trackside printing on the day.

The linkage design was a critical part for the handling of the motorcycle, which is why it was sent to a manufacturer for machining rather than using a printed plastic part in a race. But BMW hopes that these trackside replacements can be used during actual races for non-critical components such as adjustment levers, sensor brackets and quick-release couplings.

“This process is now much faster than when we had to wait until the parts were produced either internally or externally and made available for evaluation at the racetrack. It is also easier to evaluate potential touching with surrounding parts or restricted access than it would be on screen,” added Bongers.

S1000RR
The S1000RR (Image credit: BMW)

The BMW S1000RR was originally designed for the racetrack, and seems to be something of an AM testbed for BMW, as they made the news back in 2018 with a 3D printed chassis version, which you can see in all its topology optimised glory in the image above.

Given that the S1000RR eventually made it into consumer hands, will we see more of these innovations on future production models? We shall see.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Accelerating Robotics: 3D Printed Wheels and Drone Motors

Padmalaya Rawal, a robotics maker, has developed a high-speed robot wheel using 3D printing and a modified drone motor. His design addresses the... read more »

Electronics
Accelerating Robotics: 3D Printed Wheels and Drone Motors

Immensa Scores $20 Million Series B Funding for Digital Warehouse

Immensa, a leader in additive manufacturing in the MENA region, recently raised $20 million in Series B funding. This move is significant in... read more »

News
Immensa Scores $20 Million Series B Funding for Digital Warehouse

Prusa Introduces Binary G-code Format for Enhanced Space Efficiency

Prusa has introduced a new binary G-code format, .dubbed “bgcode”, aimed at improving space efficiency in 3D printing. Traditional G-code, though widely used... read more »

News
Prusa Introduces Binary G-code Format for Enhanced Space Efficiency

Researchers Create Temperature-Responsive Polymer Composite for Robotics

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in collaboration with the University of Houston, have developed a novel 3D printed polymer composite. This... read more »

Materials
Researchers Create Temperature-Responsive Polymer Composite for Robotics

Automotive Company Adopts Digital Inventory for 3D Printed Spares

MAN Truck & Bus has adopted digital inventory management for spare part manufacturing, particularly for parts no longer in production. This approach was... read more »

News
Automotive Company Adopts Digital Inventory for 3D Printed Spares

SOLIDWORKS 2024 Released: What’s New?

Dassault Systèmes has released SOLIDWORKS 2024, the latest incarnation of its 3D design and engineering software (and this writer’s go-to CAD platform). The... read more »

News
SOLIDWORKS 2024 Released: What’s New?

A Closer Look at HyperLok™ – KPD’s High-Temp Bed Adhesive

There are many factors affecting the adhesion of FDM prints to a print bed, be it incorrect print settings, dodgy filament, or warping... read more »

News
A Closer Look at HyperLok™ - KPD’s High-Temp Bed Adhesive

Mechnano and Tethon3D’s ESD Resin Passes NASA Outgassing Tests

Mechnano, in collaboration with Tethon3D, has announced that their C-Lite vat photopolymerization resin has passed NASA's ASTM E595-77/84/90 outgassing tests. This high-temperature resistant... read more »

News
space applications

Maker Demonstrates 3D Printing Spheres Without Supports

A recent demonstration by “DaveMakesStuff” on Hackaday has showcased an efficient method for 3D printing spheres, a typically challenging shape for filament printers.... read more »

News
Support-free spheres

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote



Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing