Innovation Award for Integrated Loop Bike Frame

An annual prestigious global award for innovation in composite material products or processes. This year the judges selected CompoTech’s Integrated Loop Technology (ILT) use in bicycle frame front triangle. ILT is a process that combines the structural composite element, such as a tube with a joining component, a loop. Used to join two composite parts or integrate a bushing in a hinging system. The result is a joint integral to the structure from a continuous fibre automated placement process. Examples of this composite process innovation include bicycle frames, lightweight ladders, and materials handling and manipulation structures.

Key benefits:

• Efficient material use – eliminate reinforced patches or over-laminated joints.
• Reduced machining – joint or hole designed into the ILT filament placement process.
• Increases the automaton of the part – Reduced quality issues and overall production and labour time.
• Stronger joints – especially parts with tension or bending stresses.