Michelin unveils 3D-printed Vision Concept Tyre
Michelin unveils 3D-printed Vision Concept Tyre
The MICHELIN Visionary Concept tyre was unveiled at the international summit for sustainable mobility, Movin'On, in Montreal. The concept has intrigued many experts, as well as press, internationally.
The MICHELIN Visionary Concept is a wheel with no air that has been designed to last an exceptionally long time, “as long as the vehicle itself”. It has a biomimetic structure, like that of plants.
What is the MICHELIN Visionary Concept tyre?
As described by Michelin, it has a combination of three parts:
The tyre is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable at the end of its life. It gets its super durability from its honeycomb structure, which Michelin calls a generative design. The generative design mimics a natural growth process, which is inspired from natural models and is also biodegradable.
One of the concept tyre’s most distinctive features has to be the tread. Owners can have the tread reformed by a 3D printer which draws on cold cure technology. This technology produces the same performance as a conventional tread.
The concept of 3D printing also caters to convenience. If you’re traveling in extreme conditions and experience a problem, new tread can be printed in a matter of minutes. Because of 3D printing being an additive technology, it prints only what is needed, and where it is needed. This allows for no wastage. Not only is money and time saved, but also protects the environment.
In keeping with the “connected” concept that has engulfed the motoring industry, the Visionary Concept is also a communicative piece of technology. It can communicate with the vehicle and vice versa. Owners can print without having to be near the car. They will also stay informed of the wear on the tread and can program a reprint from the app.
“This approach has been dubbed the "4R Strategy" at Michelin, for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Renew. We bear in mind that, for mobility to have a bright future, it will have to be ever safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.”