Cycletrainer and Roller
Tacx, one of the customers of Momexx, started with a simple cycle shop, but soon expanded into an innovative company with an immense passion for the cycle sport. Tacx develops and produces amongst others cycletrainers, repair stands and tools, water bottles and water bottle cages.
Since 1993 Momexx has been developing energy saving moulds for cycletrainers, standards, rollers and accessories of Tacx. In this case the most recent projects, the cycletrainer Bushido and the roller Antares, are discussed.
Problem statement Cycletrainer Bushido
The cycletrainer Bushido exists out of multiple complex parts and requires a delivery of four rather large moulds within a short time span. Tacx is, however, known with the capacity of Momexx and the capability of delivering large, complex and multi component moulds.
Moulds
One of the moulds included switches in order to produce two different versions. The energy saving moulds are furthermore toughened and suitable for spray-casting of high quality with glass filled synthetic materials.
Project management and end products Bushido
Due to the close cooperation with the product development and Momexx a short cycle time was realized. Moreover, at the last moment design changes were realized only because of the good communication between Tacx and the project team. Before the final delivery, the moulds were spray-casted at Momexx for product optimization.
Problem statement Antares
The design of the roller Antares determines also the characteristics of the product. The roller has for instance no brace and therefore reinforces the sense of balance and concentration on steering, which is important for indoor cycling. The Antares is streamlined and the heavy-duty tapered rollers ensures stability and that it is almost impossible to ride off the machine. The roller used to be constructed by turn-milling, but due to the above mentioned characteristics it was decided to spray-cast the roller.
Moulds
Also the roller Antares required four rather large moulds. The energy saving moulds are also toughened for the synthetics and to prevent abrasion. Furthermore, multi component moulds are designed in such a way that they produce as less seams as possible to prevent the wearing off of the cycling tires. The optimal cooling during the production of the moulds have moreover resulted in accurate distribution in the wall thickness.
Project management and end product Antares
The moulds were eventually responsible for two new quality products of Tacx and account for the long term relationship between Tacx and Momexx.