Do you remember the reaction of people when 3D printing first came out? "This technology is so cool! One day, we’ll be able to print anything we want!" Well, it seems like that future has arrived, and you might even have some 3D-printed items at home, like camera mounts or bike spacers. But what about the "serious things"? For example, motorcycle parts?
This is no longer a thing of science fiction. The future of electric motorcycles is much brighter now, and some manufacturers have started integrating 3D printing technology into their production processes. One of the leaders in this step is Stark Future. They produce high-performance Varg electric off-road motorcycles and aim to use 3D printing to revolutionize the way motorcycles are made.
Recently, Stark Future partnered with an industrial 3D printing company, Farsoon Technologies, to kickstart a strategic collaboration. And of course, Farsoon's 3D printing technology is far from the machines you'd find in your basement. These industrial-grade 3D printers can produce complex parts that traditional manufacturing methods simply can't match.
Specifically, Stark Future is focused on metal powder bed fusion technology, which, in simple terms, is titanium 3D printing! According to Anton Wass, the CEO of Stark Future, titanium 3D printing not only makes it easier to obtain high-performance parts but also speeds up the manufacturing process. "Stark believes that widespread production using titanium 3D printing is the next step toward creating better motorcycles," he said.
The main equipment that Stark Future is investing in is the Farsoon FS721M-H-8-CAMS large metal 3D printing system. This machine has a build size of 750 x 420 x 650 mm (about 29 x 16 x 26 inches), allowing it to produce large parts. While it can't yet directly print an entire motorcycle, honestly, it's only a matter of time before that becomes possible.
The use of 3D printing in high-performance applications is no longer new. In fact, we’re already seeing 3D-printed parts in F1 cars, MotoGP bikes, and even NASA space missions. This is why 3D printing is quickly becoming a mainstream method of production.
But imagine a motorcycle with 3D-printed parts? It's still pretty impressive, even though the parts are made of titanium and have been tested in the most extreme conditions. But the future is now, and if these new technologies pave the way for better and more exciting motorcycles, I’m all for it!
