Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been around since the 80s, although those first ‘printers’ were expensive and cumbersome. They are more readily available these days, so the process is subsequently cheaper and more accessible. The West Australian bike studio, Flying Machine, have worked with the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation to develop a bike built with this amazing technology.
Th CSIRO’s Arcam printer created the lugs which were then bonded to 3Al-2.5V titanium tubing. The lugs are produced in Melbourne, while the frame is assembled in the FM studio in Perth, so it’s a 100% Australian made-machine. This process allows for completely custom geometry in a lugged titanium frame — and can be completed within three weeks. For the full story, head to the Flying Machine website. Special thanks to Thom Perry for the photography.
