3D Systems to Display Brammo Empulse at Euromold

[Brammofan]

Here's the presser... from msnbc.com, no less:

ROCK HILL, S.C., Nov. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (Nasdaq:TDSC) announced today that it will display the Brammo Empulse® motorcycle, an innovative 'green' motorcycle powered by 3Dproparts™, at the Euromold Conference and Exhibit December 1 – 4, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany, Hall 11-D46.
3D Systems pioneered the use of Additive Manufacturing solutions for transportation and now, through its comprehensive 3Dproparts ™ network, 3D Systems offers companies like Brammo a complete suite of design to manufacturing solutions.
"We are proud to sponsor and excited to exhibit the new Empulse® motorcycle and recognize Brammo's leadership in the design of functional, sustainable electric vehicles," said Cathy Lewis, vice president of global marketing for 3D Systems.
"Our relationship with 3D Systems is integral to our success.  We depend on 3Dproparts™ to provide us with critical body parts and panels featuring unmatched surface finish, durability and dimensional accuracy for all of our concept and race bikes," stated Brian Wismann, director of product development, Brammo, Inc.
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3-D Printing, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing systems and parts solutions.  Its expertly integrated solutions reduce the time and cost of designing products and facilitate direct and indirect manufacturing by creating actual parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used for design communication and prototyping as well as for production of functional end-use parts: our customers Create With Confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com , www.printin3D.com , www.toptobottomdental.com , www.3Dproparts.com , www.dpt-fast.com , http://www.bitsfrombytes.com , www.mqast.com , blog.3Dsystems.com, or via email at moreinfo@3Dsystems.com.
The 3D Systems Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4537
About Brammo, Inc.
Brammo, Inc. is a leading electric vehicle technology company headquartered in North America. Brammo designs and develops electric vehicles including the award winning Brammo Enertia® motorcycle recently voted electric motorcycle of the year 2010 and the game changing Empulse®. Brammo is an OEM supplier of its innovative Brammo Digital Drivetrain® systems including the Brammo Power® battery pack and Brammo Power® vehicle management system. Brammo has vehicle distribution and marketing operations in North America, Europe and Asia.
To learn more go to www.brammo.com .
© Copyright 2010, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

[protomech]

That's a lot of websites.

It's pretty cool that Brammo is making use of 3d prototyping. Are they really using 3d printing to produce their race fairings?

[BrammoBrian]

It's true... we use SLA parts on the actual race bikes!  After using SLAs for verifying designs for the production Enertia before investing in hard tooling, we started experimenting with using SLAs as functional parts on the No.11 Enertia TTR race bike during the TT in 2009.  If you take a good look at the photos from that event you'll notice that the no.11 bike had a different tail design to that of the no.26.  The part held up beautifully to the rigors of the TT track, so we expanded the usage of the materials on the Empulse RR to the main fairing, side fairings, and undertray. 

[webman]

Seriously cool stuff, brian.  I've seen rapid prototyping technology used in architectural offices to make models, but it's another thing entirely to see this technology used to make actual parts for a racebike.  VERY, very cool.

eric
aka the webman