09-03-2011, 10:10 PM
European Aerospace and Defence Group's (new) Airbike
Unveiled by EADS (European Aerospace and Defence Group), the Airbike is "grown" with nylon powder using a process called additive layer manufacturing, which is similar to 3D printing but with the added benefit of laser-sintering to reinforce the structure.
This way the parts can save up to 65 percent in weight while retaining the same strength (of steel or aluminum in this case).
It's all well and good, except EADS does say there's still some way to go before we can print our own custom Harley-Davidson bikes without breaking our banks.
Shame, as with many things in life, we'll just have to wait.
Sincerely, your new Mr. Bicycle news man
![[Image: eadg-airbike.png]](http://markwood.co.cc/donotdelete/articles/eadg-airbike.png)
Unveiled by EADS (European Aerospace and Defence Group), the Airbike is "grown" with nylon powder using a process called additive layer manufacturing, which is similar to 3D printing but with the added benefit of laser-sintering to reinforce the structure.
This way the parts can save up to 65 percent in weight while retaining the same strength (of steel or aluminum in this case).
It's all well and good, except EADS does say there's still some way to go before we can print our own custom Harley-Davidson bikes without breaking our banks.
Shame, as with many things in life, we'll just have to wait.
Sincerely, your new Mr. Bicycle news man
![[Image: icpn5k.jpg]](http://i56.tinypic.com/icpn5k.jpg)
![[Image: bustedtees.07e3d5a3-8bf6-4c9a-8f85-5bccf2e28120.gif]](http://2.media.bustedtees.cvcdn.com/3/-/bustedtees.07e3d5a3-8bf6-4c9a-8f85-5bccf2e28120.gif)
