STF#8 - 2023: Presentations
3D Printing as a means of improving sporting performance
Metron
3D printing, is the process of making a physical object from a 3D digital model by laying down thin layers of a material one after the other. Metal, plastic or other materials can be used in that process.
3D printing can be favourable when production timelines are tight, or when the desired geometry is difficult or impossible to make using traditional manufacturing processes. These may include aerodynamic interventions, anatomic/ergonomic customisation, part integration, and in many cases, weight reduction.
3D printing is versatile, can be used to manufacture equipment for a wide range of sports and is likely to grow more affordable over time as CFD, design, and printing technology develop. In the future, additive manufacturing will play an increasingly important role in influencing the outcomes of races and other sporting events as it becomes more widespread.
To attain this versatility, the product has to be designed with the manufacturing process in mind.
This presentation will refer to the ways and methods that were used by METRON engineers to achieve the designs required for the components used in several world records and gold medals in cycling events.
Dimitris Katsanis was born in Athens, Greece. Did a Sports Science degree at Athens University, Composite Materials Engineering at Plymouth University as well as an MBA at Manchester University.
With over 30 years of experience in engineering, primarily in composites, in aerospace and sport applications and for the last seven year in Additive Manufacturing; he has a long track record of innovation in sports, as well as the results to prove it, with designs that can claim over 100 Gold medals in Olympic Games and World Championships, 7 Tour de France wins, and with the latest innovations he can claim to be the designer of the first 3D Printed bicycle frame and fork to achieve 3 world records soon after its launch.
His main involvement in engineering in the past, besides sports applications, was in aerospace, through a range of applications involving jet fighters, civil aviation projects as well as some supercar applications.
Websites:
Metron Additive Engineering
Mythos