By simple logical hypothesis, Suzuki could test a carbon swingarm on its GSX-RR in 2020. Indeed, all the other manufacturers already use one, like Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and KTM, or have tested one, like Aprilia .
Even if Hamamatsu's motorcycle seems particularly efficient in corners, there is in fact no reason not to tackle the problem of reducing the unsprung mass that partially constitutes the swinging arm of Hamamatsu's motorcycles. Áex Rins and Joan Mir, even if it means having to master the phenomena of rigidity and carbon reaction.
More innovative, at Ducati, where we have been a pioneer in the field of carbon, at least in the MotoGP category, it seems that we are nevertheless keeping an eye on the possibilities offered by 3D printing. This in fact allows shapes, determined by a sort of artificial intelligence, much more complex than the machining of aluminum or the simple assembly of pre-impregnated carbon fiber fabric.
An experiment is currently taking place with the electric motorcycle aligned in the Moto Student project by the Unibo Motorsport team from the University of Bologna, helped by the Ducati foundation.
Featuring a full carbon frame and a machined aluminum swingarm until last year, the red-white-blue motorcycle received this summer a metal swingarm printed using the SLM (Selective Laser Melting) process. ).
The swinging arm of the Alpha Leonis (that's its name) was thus printed for 180 hours during which a laser beam fused the particles of metal powder together, obtaining layer after layer, 9800 in total, the desired component . Thanks to this process, the swingarm does not exceed 3,5 kilos and has predetermined rigidity properties.
Another initiative, that of the British company Carbon Performance, specialized in 3D printing of metals AND carbon (among others). Already perfectly mastering metal printing and having already produced brake levers in carbon fiber printing, the company is now tackling a swingarm for the Ducati of a competition team based in Kent.
Carbon Performance 3D printed carbon fiber lever created by generative design [Image credit: Carbon Performance]
On paper, artificial intelligence for design and 3D printing for construction really seem complementary to offer the optimal part meeting a given function.
Let's bet that this type of solution will be tested on a MotoGP in the medium term, whether we know it or not...
Note: If you read English, we can only strongly advise you to read the interviews from the AMFG website, giving a real overview of the promises generated by all these different processes, but also of the disadvantages that are still current (inconsistency, finishing, data security, etc.)…
