HELP

[Swiffer]

I have to write a report for my Manufacturing Processes class on a "new technology" or "methodology". Well, I've been racking my brain for 5 days now trying to come up with a subject and am having major brain-freeze. Thought maybe some of you might keep up more than me on this kind of stuff and may have some suggestions. Obviously I'd prefer it was motorcycle related, but not absolutely necessary...just needs to be interesting.

Steve

[Old-timer]

Try doing some reading on the Baldwin motorcycle. They are using a automotive engine so that parts are available and you don't need a dealer network for support. Just a thought

[tulschmid]

How about BMW's anti lock braking system, or S&S big bore kit? Only problem is getting technical information. May be limited.

troy

[RickJ]

I'm assuming you need to write about a new manufacturing process or technology?

Rapid prototyping is a relatively new development. It's been around for years, but is constantly being refined.

Try looking for Manufacturing Engineering magazine online. Or Modern Machine Shop. They usually have new processes and stuff there.


Here is something that was posted on the vmc website a few weeks back. Look for the thread titled New Development.

A motorcycle manufacturer in Austria needed to produce a functional fairing prototype for a new motorcycle, and hoped to verify the proposed design early in the design process. Doing so would not only save time, but also help the company, KTM Sportsmotorcycle AG in Mattighofen, avoid a number of development and design adjustment costs.
When the project began, KTM's new motorcycle, the Duke 625, was still in development, but KTM wanted a prototype that someone could climb on and ride.

The manufacturer contacted Rapid Product Development GmbH, a service bureau based in Niklasdorf, Austria, which recommended selective laser sintering to produce prototype parts that could stand up to substantial mechanical loads required for real-world use.

"The demand for prototyping is clearly shifting away from simple look-alike prototypes toward parts that are very similar to production parts or tools," said Wolfgang Kraschitzer, production manager of Rapid Product Development. "This includes parts that can withstand the typical strains of actual service."

Rapid Product Development built the fairing parts of DuraForm poly-amide on its in-house Sinterstation SLS process equipment, both supplied by DTM Corp. of Austin, Texas. The fairing parts produced were sizable, the largest measuring 1,000 mm x 400 mm x 250 mm. The components were bonded together to form the fairing, lacquered, and then used in road tests.

The tests guided engineers to add adjustments along the way, without incurring huge costs. The fracture-resistant DuraForm polyamide held up through a barrage of road tests.

Once the tests were complete, the DuraForm polyamide parts served as patterns for the production of five sets of preproduction test parts, which were created by vacuum pouring. These parts, which were made with a two-component casting resin having characteristics similar to acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or ABS, were used in additional driving tests and display models.

[Swiffer]

Thanks for the tips guys! Keep 'em coming...

Steve

[John Ritter]

I have met one of the VP's at S&S who came from Victory, Geoff Bouergous (sp?) He seemed like a hell of a good guy and I bet would be will to give you a hand...
It might take a few phone calls for me to get to him, but I could try. Let mw know Steve.
Also: how about 4 stroke technology in the recreational vehicle market? Turbo's superchargers direct injection etc.....

[Swiffer]

I was thinking about some of the fuel injection devices coming out now, or maybe the whole 4-stroke craze with dirt bikes and ATV's. It'll probably come to me in my sleep one of these nights...yea right! I also thought it would be pretty cool to do something on the hubless wheel like Billy Lane came out with on his Psycho Billy Cadillac, but it's hard to find alot of info on that one.

Steve

[sstodvictory]

Other interesting ones:

- The projected consequences of EPA regulations on motorcycle engine design. Some think it will force traditional air cooled engines to dissappear.

- The physics of motorcycle cornering and frame geometry.

- Recent advances in two-stroke and diesel engine technologies (ie Army KLR 650) for motorcycles.

[Joe_WaZoo]

I can't help on the motorcycle case for products, but I can address new methods used in manufacturing processes. Well maybe some bike info, HD uses DeviceNet (http://www.odva.org/) technology to allow easy changes to their manufacturing process flow (Although they don't use my stuff). But Whirlpool, GM, Dell, and many other manufactures use DeviceNet from my company. Below are some links to jobs that I have done. I could easily tell you more about this technology in detail.

Camp Pendleton (http://support.interlinkbt.com/joew/DeviceNet/Conveyor/conveyor.html)

Overnite Express (http://support.interlinkbt.com/joew/DeviceNet/Overnite/Overnite_Express.html)

Whirlpool (http://home.att.net/~interlinkbt/DeviceNet/Whirlpool/Range_Maker.html)

Automotive (http://support.interlinkbt.com/joew/DeviceNet/Automotive/welding_skids.html)

Joe_WaZoo

[Swiffer]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I think I may have found enough info on the "hubless wheel", so am going to try that route and see how it pans out. Joe, if it turns out this idea won't work, I may be in touch! Your stuff looks pretty interesting.

Steve

[Sparky_Bill]

I have to write a report for my Manufacturing Processes class on a "new technology" or "methodology".

How about handle bars. Simple but a hard thing to get to fit the wide difference in riders. How to do it better with technology?