Bicycles

Preview Bianchi 2011 – 1st Part - Bianchi Technology 2011

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Bianchi

Published on Monday, 07 June 2010 12:29

Written by Luca Salvatelli

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Bianchi presented in Bergamo some of the major innovations of the range 2011, the occasion was also used to discuss with the engineers on the stage of the Bianchi study and development of composite materials and the implementation of carbon frames, of course, with particular reference to studies conducted by research and development department of Bianchi.

There are different types of carbon fiber, the main characteristics that describe the fibers are:

A) tensile strength: is the maximum uniaxial stress that a material can withstand before arriving at break

B) elastic modulus: describes the tendency to deformation of a material (non-permanent deformation) under load. The higher the greater the rigidity of form material

C) density g/cm^ 3: relationship between weight and volume

These are the mechanical properties of different types of carbon fibers used by Bianchi:

A (MPa) - B (GPA) - C (g/cm^ 3) - (Remark)

UMS40 - 4620.0 - 393.0 - 1.79 - (Ultra High Modulus)

40T - 4410.0 - 377.0 - 1.77 - (High Modulus)

30T - 5490.0 - 294.0 - 1.73 - (Intermediate Modulus High + Strength)

IMS60 - 5800.0 - 290 - 1.79 - (Intermediate High Modulus + Strength)

UTS50 - 4830.0 - 241.0 - 1.78 - (Intermediate Ultra High Modulus + Tenacy)

T700 - 4900.0 - 230.0 - 1.80 - (Intermediate Modulus)

DuPont Kevlar - 3531.6 - 121.6 - 1:45 - (High Shock Absorption)

Basalt - 4846.1 - 89.3 - 2.75 - (High Shock Absorption)

The different driving characteristics and performance in terms of stiffness and comfort of a carbon frame was dependent on the combination of fabrics (layer) with different characteristics, the different provisions of the fabric (orientation 0 / +45 ° / -45 °) the number of layers in the various critical points in the frame and the manufacturing process (molding technology and construction methods). These are in addition to other important aspects such as the definition of geometry and design of the frame (shape of the tubes, their profile, etc.). A series of studies and tests have been determined by a number of construction technology of carbon frames, which are used depending on the intended use of the frame. Let us consider:

CNT - Carbon Nano Tube

This is the latest development of nano technology, in which the nanotubes, which have an extraordinary resistance, are combined with epoxy resin and nano-powders (the base of nano technology), providing an increase of fracture toughness by 49% compared with the standard resin, and 20% higher than the Nano technology. It was also strong evidence that using the CNT technology enhances the life of a frame.

X-TeX - Cross Texture - "Under Skin"

With this technology are adding layers of fabric at critical points inside the frame, particularly in the area of steering, where the increase stiffness and impact resistance with a small increase in weight.

WMP - Wrinkleless Molding Process

This process allows optimal control of layers of carbon fabric (layer) during the molding process so as to avoid the formation of "micro folds" in the layer of carbon. They are usually used with thicker plates, White instead changing the phase of the process reduces the natural formation of “micro bends” without increasing the thickness and increase the weight of the frame.

UTSS - Ultra Thin Seat Stay

Bianchi studies have shown how the power transmission to the rear wheel passes mainly through the rear horizontal sliders to be extremely rigid while the seat stays have the sole function of harmonizing the load distribution of the rear triangle. The current CNT technology allows Whites to reduce sections of vertical blades thus reducing weight without compromising the structural strength.

TWT - Triple Wall Tube

This innovative feature is achieved by placing the skins of composite material to form three walls thin after baking process are a seamless monocoque tube. This construction method is applied in the tube and the down tube, the areas most critical to the stiffness and the driving control, and allow the chassis to be more efficient in terms of stiffness, responsiveness and light weight.

ERC - Embedded Reinforcement Construction

With this technique are integrated and molded strengthening ribs obtained with different composite skins around the nodal points of the structure of the frame. Reinforcements give their contribution to the rigidity of the chassis and driving dynamics strengthened the area of bearing seats on the steering and BB strengthening the interface between bottom bracket and frame.

BB30

The BB30 bottom bracket allows weight reduction by removing the crank bearing caps door and using a pin oversized aluminum crank so the weight is reduced but also increases the rigidity thereof. BB30 bearings system have a diameter larger than those used in other systems and this increases its duration.

SAS - Shock Assorbing Stays

The special design of the vertical form "S" and the construction of composite laminate with carbon fibers and glass increases the absorption of vibration and impact from the rear dropouts, without weakening the lateral stiffness and torsional chassis. The benefit conferred by the SAS is to improve the comfort of the athlete without reducing the power transferred to the wheel for low stiffness of the frame.

BAT - Bianchi Active Technology

White gets high torsional stiffness on the bottom bracket to have a high transmission of pedaling power to the rear wheel, and a low vertical stiffness for optimal flexibility for shots coming from the street. Thus it improves the ride comfort without penalizing performance

K-VID - Kevlar Vibration Isolating Device

By using combinations of materials (carbon - kevlar) in critical areas of the frame and a special design of the pipes and specific geometries Bianchi, besides the use of Kevlar inserts 1K White gets a better vibration isolation and improved performance due to better stability and grip of the bike to the ground.