Currently, creating a new motorcycle prototype is done from industrial clay models, which is a convenient way to prototype new part designs. An artisanal process which is then finished by highly qualified technicians, who like modern sculptors define the proportions, lines and volumes. But it seems that 3D clay printing is making progress and can accelerate these development phases, which are crucial in the creation of a new motorcycle.
While traditional hand modeling has its advantages, including allowing the sculptor's skill to shine through, it is inherently slower and more methodical than techniques more oriented toward efficiency and speed.
Unlike the rest of the two-wheeler industry, where manual clay modeling remains the norm, Honda has moved up a gear and combined 3D printing with hand finishing to shorten the time of placing its vehicles on the market. By blending both disruptive and traditional techniques, the company has managed to modernize its production flow, without losing any of the artistry that makes handcrafted motorcycles so special.
In an attempt to bring clay modeling and mass manufacturing closer together, Honda's European R&D division has therefore integrated 3D printing technology from the Italian company WASP into its creation process. After significantly fine-tuning the development, in collaboration with Honda Europe Design Modeling Coordinator Antonio Arcadu and the Italian company's engineers, the design team managed to create a new hybrid prototype.
Founded in 2012, WASP specializes in the development of circular production processes, and in particular, systems capable of using clay-based raw materials to build sustainable architecture.
Although neither company has revealed the exact nature of the piece produced, it is said to represent a "breakthrough in motorcycle modeling", which retains elements of the hand-finishing of clay models existing. Following their initial success, Honda and WASP intend to continue developing their new approach, aiming to showcase their achievements in the coming months.
