Bikes Blog
Munich Composites Bringing Woven Carbon Fiber Rim Manufacturing to USA
Apr
A couple of years in the past, Boyd Johnson (of Boyd Wheels) and I had been sharing a beer and he talked about sometime eager to make braided carbon fiber rims. Quick ahead to right this moment, 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 supply for the North American market.
Now, they provide US-based alloy rim building through Olive Manufacturing Group, and carbon through Munich Composites. This lets EU prospects hold 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 straight woven round a mildew. The half is then inserted into the outer mildew 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 technique for years.
Munich Composites GmbH says their patented braiding building creates a stronger, larger high quality rim as a result of it has steady fiber all through your complete rim moderately than a whole bunch of small pre-preg carbon items which might be positioned by hand. It’s not simply the continual fibers, they will additionally management the precise resin quantity and blend, and simply add different fiber sorts (kevlar, Aramid, and so on.) to the development.
They’re partnering with Clemson College, which can enable them to even higher-pressure molding sooner or later, which may create a extra superior product than what’s at present completed within the bike trade.
Boyd will use the brand new know-how in future merchandise, however Hunt Bike Wheels will beat them to it with a brand new wheelset utilizing woven rims at Sea Otter.