ARCH Motorcycle partners with Hexagon to digitise quality control for bespoke motorcycles
"This immediate access to accurate 3D measurement data is intended to help produce the one-of-a-kind experiences and production motorcycle quality that customers want."
Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division is partnering up with ARCH Motorcycle to support the quality control demands of its high-performance bespoke motorcycle production process.
The U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, founded by Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, plans on ‘fully digitising quality processes’ for its production motorcycles. To do that, the company will deploy a range of Hexagon 3D scanning technologies to facilitate 3D measurement, quality assurance and reverse engineering of its highly customised products.
This will include reverse engineering software, which will enable ARCH to retain classic design elements for future product development, along with Hexagon’s Absolute Arm portable measurement arm paired with a state-of-the-art laser AS1 line-scanner to capture measurements directly into software. The same technology pairing is also being utilised by Hendricks Motorsports as part of another partnership in which Hexagon's metrology products are being used to support quality assurance in the motorsport sector.
"Quality control represents different challenges for every manufacturer, but it can be especially challenging for those who produce highly customised products," said Brian Winters, product manager for Absolute Arms at Hexagon. "We're excited to partner with ARCH Motorcycle to provide flexible tools that make it easy to digitise measurements as components are made and assembled. This immediate access to accurate 3D measurement data is intended to help produce the one-of-a-kind experiences and production motorcycle quality that customers want."
Digitising its design-to-manufacturing process means ARCH will be able to check part dimensions and surface finishes against CAD data to provide quality assurance and confidence. ARCH will also use Hexagon’s 3D technologies to create tailored ergonomic motorcycle designs that incorporate personalised customer specifications for shocks, seats, handlebars, foot controls, and overall fit. The company will also be able to keep an accurate digital 3D record of each customer's motorcycle to support future customer service.
In a press release, ARCH said: "At ARCH, we strive for precision machining and attention to detail for crafted production motorcycles. Our goal is to integrate Hexagon's latest metrology technologies throughout our manufacturing and quality control processes to achieve meticulous finish and uncompromising quality for every ARCH motorcycle. The ability to quickly digitise parts will also streamline our 3D digital workflows for computer-aided design and production of bespoke parts that enhance a rider's experience and comfort."