Sport Science CAD Design
Axis Crank
| The Axis intelligent bike crank uses some clever electronics and load
cells to cyclically measure various loads on a bicycle crank. Software
then converts this data into information allowing trainers to monitor and
adjust the riders' technique for improved performance. It effectively turns
a cycle or ergo into a dynamometer.
Creative CAD continues to assist with the ongoing development
of this product, and has developed a test rig which applies a constant
force to the crank as it rotates and includes in the computation the crank
drive flex. The force is applied with a fluidic muscle which allows a large
force to be applied using low pressure air, ideal for safety in the sports
laboratory. |
Axis
Crank Animation (1.1mb mp4)
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Axis Crank for Bicycles
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| Axis Crank for Bicycles |
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Axis Crank for Bicycles
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| Axis Crank for Bicycles |
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Swift Performance Products: Light Post Lens
Swift produces an accurate timing gate system for the sports industry.
Creative CAD designed the lens to fit the top of an existing product. The
challenge here was to create a part which fitted precisely into the extruded
alloy bannister tube that forms the light post chassis. The tube is not
uniform in shape and required many measurements and subtle adjustments
to the CAD model. The end result fitted perfectly.
Calibration rig for intelligent cycle crank
The calibration rig was designed to allow the designer of an intelligent
bicycle crank to calibrate his device. The crank is able to measure tension,
torsion, bend and compression loads on the crank and from that information,
the power and style of an athlete can be determined and modified to improve
performance.
The crank rig had to turn the crank at a speed of 120rpm and provide
a constant and known load to the crank. The rig also had to cope with the
different lengths of the adjustable crank.
The test rig had to supply a constant load in one direction, so a fluidic
muscle was used. This allows an accurate constant load to be used with
low input pressure, maintaining a safe laboratory environment.
