Ever see this? Very interesting stuff. Just wanted to get a few opinions from those engineers out there. The overall structure of an IsoTruss is a cage-like tubular lattice, formed by a series of intersecting triangles. When viewed in cross-section, the all-composite structure appears as a symmetrical star shape in three dimensions, the triangles form outward-pointing pyramids along the length of the structure. The IsoTruss structure functions like a solid tube with a constant wall thickness, but at a fraction of the weight because so much less material is involved. In bending applications, it is less than 25 percent of the weight of an aluminum tube, and less than 9 percent of a steel tube, when compared on an equal load basis (see the bar chart, this page). The lattice elements are unidirectional fiber tows or rovings, wound over a specialized collapsible metallic mandrel. Helical and longitudinal fibers are interwoven and compacted on the mandrel to form strong, integrated nodal joints. IsoTruss is designed to accept bending, buckling, axial, torsion and combined load applications. According to Livingston, the IsoTruss is well suited for situations with loads at multiple locations around the center axis or along its length. In effect, it is analogous to the geometry of an I-beam, with the longitudinal elements functioning like the flanges of the beam, moved outward from the neutral centerline tube axis. For example, in an axial loading case, the longitudinal elements carry approximately 95 percent of the loads, while the helical triangular elements support the longitudinals, increasing the structural stiffness and protecting them from local buckling. In a torsional situation, the helical members take the majority of the load. The radial symmetry distributes the load and resists global buckling equally around the centerline axis. Livingston says that additional stiffness benefits are possible because of the loading along the fiber axis, which is the most efficient orientation possible. More here... http://www.compositesworld.com/hpc/issues/2003/July/142 Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes I'm familiar with the bike I'm meeting with the maker tomorrow... the frame is under 2.7 lbs lol SICK
oh cool. be sure to post your impressions of the bike. i'll be curious to hear some feedback from someone who's ridden the bike. My bro and ride and were nerding out over the bike.
Do me a personal favor and ask the Maker if any Buckminsterfullerene molecules were harmed during the building...
We are already working on that! Very Very Very cool S#!T !! More meetings next week.. ill keep ya posted
ok ... stay tuned for some SICK info.. im headed to Napa this week for an event! Ill chime in with more info next week. Here is a teaser... 2.5 lbs Frame! Stronger than Aluminum and CF !! here is a shot of me holding it with my little finger!! SICK!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login
The structure is one continuous Carbon Fiber weave... very labor intensive! it is not a series of CF rods bound together... it is quite revolutionary.
