Arevo announced yet another project for their continuous carbon fiber 3D print system: E-Bikes.
The company has taken an rather different path than many 3D printer manufacturers that typically make the machines and sell them to others who use them to make unknown products. Instead Arevo keeps the machines and operates them on behalf of their customers to produce specific items. Instead of looking for machine buyers, they instead look for people interested in solving a problem and provide them with 3D print services.
Their 3D printer, the Aqua 2, is able to quickly 3D print relatively large objects with a mix of high strength polymer and continuous carbon fiber. Note: this is NOT chopped carbon fiber mixed with the filament resin; instead it’s literally a wire of carbon fiber that is laid down during the polymer printing process. This makes for incredibly strong parts.
In fact, Arevo’s tag line is: “Making the World Lighter”.
Thus Arevo looks for partners seeking large, strong parts. So far they’ve made arrangements with:
Now they’re adding another to their portfolio, an e-bike. The partner is Kimoa, a lifestyle brand launched by F1 champ Fernando Alonso. Kimoa has launched the new Kimoa E-Bike, which is apparently the world’s first carbon fiber frame e-bike. Arevo explains:
“The all-new Kimoa E-Bike powered by Arevo touts a true unibody construction, 3D-printed in a single pass of continuous carbon fiber thermoplastic composite. Unlike other carbon fiber bikes whose frames are glued and bolted together using dozens of individual parts and fabricated from previous-generation thermoset composite materials, the Kimoa bike frame is constructed without joints or glue for seamless strength. It’s also produced using next-generation thermoplastic materials, making it extremely impact resistant, yet remarkably lightweight, and most importantly – incredibly sustainable.”
Because each bike is individually 3D printed by Arevo, it is possible to customize the sizing for the buyer. By taking measurements and adapting them to the e-bike design, it is possible to create a e-bike frame that is perfectly matched to the rider.
This is an outstanding example of how 3D print technology can be leveraged for mass customization with a consumer product. It is my belief that we will see more products produced in this way as time passes, leading to a world where customized products are the norm.
i paid for my superstrata (aka kimoa) over 2 years ago. since then they reduced the quality, increased the weight and now they won’t ship the bike unless i pay an additional $627. the latest request is basically a ransom since i can’t get my money back and can’t get my bike unless i pay it.
discussions of a class-action lawsuit against Arevo are in progress. the comments here sum up customer satisfaction:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/superstrata-bike/x/24125768#/comments
In fact, Arevo’s tag line is: “Making the World Lighter”. …..
The only lighter thing is the wallet of the numerous bakers on indiegogo which are still waiting for their bike or scooter to be shipped/delivered/maybe even produced…
my wallet is also significantly lighter and i still don’t have a superstrata or kimoa or whatever they’re calling it these days. this is a PSA – DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON THIS BIKE.