Munich. Experts of the BMW Group Additive
Manufacturing Center have teamed up with BMW Motorrad to individualize
the bikes of the Int. GS Trophy 2018. A generative design algorithm
was used to individualize the radiator covers of the 114 BMW R 1200 GS
Rallye bikes: the rider’s names and start numbers were added to the
existing CAD data of the part. Subsequently, the radiator covers were
printed by using additive manufacturing.
In the selective laser melting process aluminum powder is fused by
powerful lasers. As no tools are required, every produced component
can be different, thus making it the perfect choice for
individualization. At the same time, the resulting parts are of a very
high strength – perfect for rough conditions like the Int. GS Trophy
which took place in Mongolia from June 3 till June 10 2018. An
additional milling process was used to create greater contrast and
surface quality of the design.
As a souvenir from the 2,350 km journey, the individualized radiator
covers were handed over to the participants at the awards ceremony.