Alex Zanardi won two gold and one silver medals at the 2012 London paralympic games in a hand bike that has been produced by race car manufacturer Dallara.
Dallara published a press release to explain the manufacturing process. Interestingly, the hand bike chassis has been created in Varano with the same methods and processes used for developing a race car.
The process of development closely mirrored that of a race car: once both he and his bike were scanned to produce a 3D model, there followed an in-depth study of aerodynamics using advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), aimed at the development the final form of the bike.
With this stage completed, structural analysis using FEM methods (Finite Element Methods) are applied, as well as many laboratory tests.
A prototype mannequin was constructed during the development process to help determine the best driving position with the final design and first prototype ready in July, followed by the definitive hand bike.
Alex accomplished only one test of his new Dallara, on August 1st. Then he was off to London where he win three medals.
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| Photo: Dallara Automobili |
Dallara published a press release to explain the manufacturing process. Interestingly, the hand bike chassis has been created in Varano with the same methods and processes used for developing a race car.
The process of development closely mirrored that of a race car: once both he and his bike were scanned to produce a 3D model, there followed an in-depth study of aerodynamics using advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), aimed at the development the final form of the bike.
 |
| Photo: Dallara Automobili |
With this stage completed, structural analysis using FEM methods (Finite Element Methods) are applied, as well as many laboratory tests.
A prototype mannequin was constructed during the development process to help determine the best driving position with the final design and first prototype ready in July, followed by the definitive hand bike.
Alex accomplished only one test of his new Dallara, on August 1st. Then he was off to London where he win three medals.
 |
| Photo: Dallara Automobili |