For Immediate Release:
908.996.7210 ex10
Machineart unveils GSM concept bike
April 8th, 2009a new GS design language & FDM prototyping showcase.
http://www.machineartmoto.com/GSM
Frenchtown, New Jersey, U.S.A. - Machineart Industrial Design unveils the GSM, a design study that proposes a new visual language for the BMW R1200GS, the best selling motorcycle in the Adventure Touring category. The GSM takes the GS to the next aesthetic level - lighter, smaller, and more agile looking – while retaining its traditional attributes of toughness and versatility. The concept bike was built utilizing Stratasys FDM Direct Digital Manufacturing technology.
“We designed the GSM to promote the design focus of the MachineartMoto brand and its products for BMW R & F series bikes”, says Andrew Serbinski, Principal Designer and President of Machineart. “Our X-Head cylinder guards, Slipscreen windscreen, and MudSling fenders are solutions to rider needs that enhance appearance at the same time.” MachineartMoto products are sold through its online store www.machineartmoto.com and through dealers.
The GSM Design
Machineart’s design creates a new visual vocabulary for the R1200GS that departs from BMW’s traditional adventure touring look. The design abandons the “two-wheeled Land Rover” aesthetic, with its chunky shapes and exaggerated parts, like the long nose that has become a signature element. Instead, the GSM design is characterized by flowing line, taught surfaces with crisp definition, and a part and color break-up that reduces visual bulk. The thick mid-section is matte metallic black to reduce mass and is divided by a glossy colored “wing” that wraps around the fuel tank and directs one’s focus to a smaller area within the larger shape. The nose serves only as an air intake for the oil cooler, eschewing its traditional role as a vestigial fender. The combination of elements makes the design looks lighter, smaller, and sportier than the production GS.
“BMW has its GS Adventure model whose design perfectly expresses its indestructible, go-anywhere capability”, says Andrew Serbinski. “The fact is that most standard GS riders do not ride off-road but still gravitate to the model because of its versatility, comfortable upright riding position, and a large aftermarket for luggage and comfort enhancements”. The GSM design is aimed at those riders - the “upright sport tourers” – and achieves a purposeful beauty in a market segment where appearance has been secondary to functionality.
Direct Digital Manufacturing
GSM body parts were modeled in Alias Studio Tools and SolidWorks 3D CAD software, and produced in ABS-M30 plastic directly from 3D CAD data using two Fortus 3D Production Systems (www.fortus.com) from Stratasys. Fortus systems use FDM, the leading technology in 3D printing and 3D production. Fortus systems eliminate the need to make tooling to mold plastic parts and allow easy revision and customization from one set of parts to the next. A total of 16 parts were made in the large Fortus 400mc and Fortus 900mc machines, including two parts that served as the female halves of molds used to cast polyurethane foam seat cushions — an example of direct digital manufacturing of manufacturing tools. The lower cowl near the exhaust pipes is produced from PPSF (polyphenylsulfone) a heat-resistant material option for the FDM process. This process enabled making ABS-M30 body parts in less than a month, saving many months of time over traditional prototyping methods.
Machineart provides new product design and development services, focusing on concept development, visual brand identity, parts engineering and prototyping in the categories of computers & equipment, sports equipment, powersports, consumer products, medical products, juvenile products, and housewares. www.machineart.com.
Machineart Industrial Design
17 Slacktown Road
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908. 996. 7210 x10
Designers:
Andrew Serbinski, Principal Designer
Richard Wyant
Daniel Howell
Mark Jenkinson http://www.markjenkinsonphoto.com/
