Additive manufacturing technology from Renishaw helps produce new Olympic track bike ahead of Paris 2024

Global engineering technologies company Renishaw has used its in-house additive manufacturing (AM) expertise to help develop the new Hope-Lotus track bike, which is likely to be ridden by Great Britain’s track cyclists at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Louise Callanan, Director of Additive Manufacturing at Renishaw, explained, “Working with British Cycling is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how our additive manufacturing technologies can help improve the performance of the bike and ensure that it is optimised for individual riders."

Additive manufacturing (which includes "3D printing") brings particular challenges when it comes to patenting. Patent claims for all products must now be carefully drafted to ensure that they are still infringed even if the product is produced by additive manufacturing. In this regard it is important to take into consideration the fact that additive manufacturing may allow the product to be produced in a different way, and sometimes with a different final structure, which may not have been possible without additive manufacturing.

In addition, patent claims should reflect the fact that products can often be produced by 3D printers in different jurisdictions using computer files which contain the details of the products. At Marks & Clerk we have particular experience and expertise in dealing with additive manufacturing, and of dealing with these issues.

Let us hope that the Paris 2024 Olympics are a success, and that the hard work of athletes and technology companies pays off.