Just a few years in the past, Boyd Johnson (of Boyd Wheels) and I have been sharing a beer and he talked about sometime desirous to make braided carbon fiber rims. Quick ahead to right now, and it’s now a actuality.
He and some others have acquired Munich Composites in Germany, which has been making braided carbon fiber rims for a number of German manufacturers. As a part of the acquisition, they’re shifting half of their manufacturing line to Landrum, SC, to provide for the North American market.
Now, they provide US-based alloy rim building by way of Olive Manufacturing Group, and carbon by way of Munich Composites. This lets EU clients preserve ordering from Europe, saving on VAT and different charges, and opens up extra alternatives for US and Canadian manufacturers to onshore future merchandise.
The method weaves steady carbon fiber strands right into a “sock” that slides over or is immediately woven round a mould. The half is then inserted into the outer mould and injected with resin. Referred to as RTM (Resin Switch Molding), the half begins with dry fibers and the resin is added underneath excessive stress. Time Bicycles has used this methodology for years.
Munich Composites GmbH says their patented braiding building creates a stronger, increased high quality rim as a result of it has steady fiber all through your entire rim fairly than tons of of small pre-preg carbon items which can be positioned by hand. It’s not simply the continual fibers, they’ll additionally management the precise resin quantity and blend, and simply add different fiber sorts (kevlar, Aramid, and many others.) to the development.
They’re partnering with Clemson College, which is able to permit them to even higher-pressure molding sooner or later, which may create a extra superior product than what’s at the moment carried out within the bike business.
Boyd will use the brand new expertise in future merchandise, however Hunt Bike Wheels will beat them to it with a brand new wheelset utilizing woven rims at Sea Otter.
