Denver-based RevoPower taps SolidWorks software to reinvent the wheel... the bike wheel, that is
Containing a small engine within the wheel itself, the RevoPower Wheel opens the door to a new healthy and affordable means of transportation for global markets
CONCORD, Mass., July 31, 2006 ? A Rocky Mountain company is using SolidWorks® software to reinvent the bicycle in what it hopes can be part of a global solution to rising gas prices, high vehicle costs, and congested cities ? as well as a way to keep in shape while having fun.
Although many have attempted to motorize a bicycle in the past, the company says, none of the solutions have been as elegantly designed as the RevoPower Wheel. Profiled recently in Popular Science, the wheel attaches to a standard bicycle fork like any other front wheel. However, it incorporates a 25-cc gasoline engine boasting 200 miles per gallon, easy installation, light weight (12 lbs.), and intuitive operation with a single throttle/starter interface. The rider can alternate on the fly between engine power and traditional pedaling.
?SolidWorks has been a tremendous tool in helping us overcome some steep challenges to design a better transportation product,? said RevoPower Wheel inventor and company founder Steve Katsaros. ?We had to pack an engine, fuel delivery, controls, transmission, and a starting mechanism into the 130-millimeter width between standard bicycle fork ends. Additionally, we had to deal with a spinning carburetor and engine, which has never been the case in any other environment. Modeling our solution in three dimensions using SolidWorks software has helped us develop, iterate, and refine ideas with our focus on the design challenges, as opposed to the workings of the software tool. It?s easier and more intuitive than any 3D CAD software we?ve tried.?
Katsaros, a patent agent who does engineering work for the ski and home improvement markets, found SolidWorks software?s assembly tree especially helpful in quickly and efficiently developing documentation for the first patent on the wheel, which was granted on Dec. 6, 2005. He is hopeful that the unique qualities described in the patent will gain the interest of clients and customers from a sizeable worldwide potential market.
More than 100 million adult bicycles are produced each year, but they take considerable effort to propel over larger distances, the company reasons. With the addition of the RevoPower Wheel in 2007, RevoPower thinks that a new lease on life is in store for the bicycle.
?We understand that companies like RevoPower need to focus on their design work and not the CAD system in order to succeed at bringing great ideas to market,? said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks vice president of worldwide marketing. ?Our efforts at creating intuitive, high-performing software are designed to remove obstacles and let our customers design truly innovative products that can even change an entire industry.?
RevoPower relies on SolidWorks reseller MCAD Technologies, Inc. for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About RevoPower
RevoPower is a Denver-based organization whose objective is to bring elegant, affordable transportation to a world of emerging markets. The RevoPower Wheel has a place as both a lifestyle product as well as a transport product. As the world?s supply of petroleum dwindles, fuel efficiency for personal transportation will become the central issue for both developed and third world nations. RevoPower intends to service that market and make the technology available in a variety of forms. For more information visit www.revopower.com.
About MCAD Technologies
Founded in 1989 with offices in Lakewood and Boulder , MCAD Technologies is a leading provider of product development solutions in Colorado 's Rocky Mountain region. MCAD delivers expert sales, training, technical support, and consulting to our customers in the areas of product development and product lifecycle management. For more information visit www.mcad.com .
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