Case Study
Improving Design Performance of Printed Composite Parts
The MOTO-MAQLAB-UC3M student team set out to improve motorcycle performance for international MotoStudent competitions by reducing component weight while maintaining stiffness and dynamic behavior. The team replaced traditionally manufactured parts with additively manufactured composite components and relied on simulation to validate performance early. Using multibody dynamics, finite element analysis, and composite material modeling, engineers evaluated acceleration, braking, cornering, and thermal loads. Simulation enabled optimization of layer orientation, material distribution, and stiffness characteristics. The result was a 30% mass reduction without sacrificing performance, shorter development time, and strong correlation between simulation and physical testing, helping the team rema
