Mountain Bike

Design freedom

  • Rapid iterations; flexibility to make design improvements right up to production
  • Ability to make shapes derived by topological optimisation
  • Ultimate customisation and tailoring – make one-offs as easily as production batches
Mountain bike
Mountain bike

Construction

  • Complex shape with internal strengthening features
  • Hollow structures
  • Built in features, such as the rider’s name

Performance, titanium alloy

  • Seat post bracket 44% lighter than aluminium alloy version
  • Extremely strong – tested to EN 14766
  • Corrosion resistant and long lasting
CAD model of seat post designed for aluminium alloy casting.
CAD model of seat post designed for aluminium alloy casting.
Topological optimisation using Altair's solid Thinking Inspire® 9.5 software.
Topological optimisation using Altair's solid Thinking Inspire® 9.5 software.
Re-designed by Empire Cycles using the optimised CAD model as a template
Re-designed by Empire Cycles using the optimised CAD model as a template
Produced in titanium alloy on a Renishaw AM250 laser melting system
Produced in titanium alloy on a Renishaw AM250 laser melting system

Empire Cycles

Empire Cycles is a unique British bike designing and manufacturing company in the North-West of England. Passionate about using great British engineering to create elite products, the Company offers innovative designs to the world’s mountain bikers and downhillers.

What is topological optimisation?

From the Greek word for place, “topo”, topological optimisation software is the term given to programs that are used to determine the “logical place” for material – normally using iterative steps and finite element analysis. Material is removed from areas of low stress until a design optimised for load bearing is evolved. The resulting model is both light (due to the low volume) and strong.

Warehouse - Righton Blackburns

Talk to an expert

Righton Blackburns Powder Metals

Building 38,
Second Avenue,
The Pensnett Estate,
Kingswinford,
West Midlands, DY6 7UN
+44 (0)1384 276 400
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