IDC Models produces winning helmets for British Olympic Cycling Team
02 July 2012
IDC Models, the rapid prototyping and model making division of Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC), has made its own contribution to the British Olympic cycling team, producing the cycle helmet liners for the British team on site using its own prototyping facilities.
The cycle helmets were first and foremost designed for optimum safety, but also needed to be lightweight and streamlined for speed. IDC was able to apply some past experience in this field, having previously developed the anti-rotation Phillips motorcycle helmets. IDC developed the core safety component of the helmets, the liners. Each liner fits in the space between the aerodynamic outer shell of the helmet and the cyclist’s skull, so it was essential that it provided maximum protection in case of an accident.
The helmet liners were manufactured from Styrofoam, which was selected for its light weight and excellent impact absorption. They were machined using IDC’s Rye CNC milling machine. Forty helmet liners were produced, which then went on to have the final casing with British team graphics applied.
Peter Pendergast, Head of Prototyping at IDC Models, comments “We are thrilled that our facilities have once again been chosen for Olympic-standard products. This is the second time we have been selected; last time we produced the cycle helmets for the British team at Beijing and they came home with gold medals. We wish them the same success at the London Olympics.”
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