University expertise aids alloy application

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 6, 2005

Experts at the University of Birmingham are helping a Midlands bicycle frame manufacturer to develop the next generation of competitive performance bikes.

Experts at the University of Birmingham are helping a Midlands bicycle frame manufacturer to develop the next generation of competitive performance bikes.

Tyseley-based company Reynolds Technology has been working with VIN Technology Services, based at the university, to develop a new magnesium alloy frame that is 33% lighter than the more commonly used aluminium compounds.

The results will be used to produce new frames that give a valuable advantage to professional athletes in events such as the Olympics and Tour de France.

VIN, which provides technology services to businesses within the West Midlands, has enabled Reynolds to access some of the most advanced analysis equipment and expertise in the country.

Gino Bellavia, Head of VIN explained that the project started when Reynolds Technology identified that magnesium could potentially be used to develop stronger and lighter frames for performance bicycles.

He said: "While Reynolds had identified the potential of the new material; the team lacked the specialist expertise and technology to overcome critical technical issues".

"The company was unable to weld the magnesium tubes to the required strength to produce a lightweight and durable bicycle frame".

The solution was to set up a project within the university's metallurgy department to analyse the weld samples and identify the problem.

Using high powered microscopes, the team was able to identify minute cracks and corrosion within the grain structures of the welding and develop a solution that created an extremely strong join.

Keith Noronha, Managing Director at Reynolds Technology said: "The new magnesium tubing is extremely light and thanks to the team at VIN it is now extremely strong and durable.

"We knew that magnesium could potentially revolutionise the way we make performance bikes, but we lacked the specialist skills and technology to overcome the critical issue of welding the alloy together".

"Working with VIN meant that we had access to the best equipment and knowledge in the country and could overcome the issues preventing our progress".

Bellavia added: "The idea behind VIN is to take advantage of the wide range of technology and research expertise at the University of Birmingham and create a way for businesses to access many of these for the first time and provide them with a real competitive advantage".

"This project is just one way that these visualisation and imaging technologies can be used".

"The range of applications is almost endless, whether you are developing new products or processes, testing or improving existing ones, or simply carrying out feasibility studies on new ideas".

"The key is being able to harness this technology in the right ways to make your business better".

"We are extremely pleased to have been part of the development of this revolutionary product that will be used by top athletes and cycling enthusiasts in the future".

"The magnesium alloy developed by Reynolds will take competitive cycling to even higher levels".

Supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Advantage West Midlands, VIN Technology Services provides advanced technology to eligible small and medium sized (SMEs) businesses across the West Midlands.