Intercad launches Electric Superbike Project in Australia and New Zealand

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Intercad launches Electric Superbike Project in Australia and New Zealand

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Calling on the design, engineering and manufacturing communities to come together for a good cause

Sydney, Australia (August 17, 2010) - Intercad, the specialist 3D computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology distributor, has joined forces with Triple Eight Race Engineering and Racetech Steel to champion the Electric Superbike Project, a community-based initiative which brings together budding and experienced designers, engineers and manufacturers to create and build a completely unique motorbike.

Road tested by racing great and Triple Eight Race Engineering driver Craig Lowndes, the winning design will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to Red Dust Role Models, a non-profit organisation seeking to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged youth living in remote communities.

Max Piper, CEO, Intercad, says the Electric Superbike Project is a chance for the Australian and New Zealand design, engineering and manufacturing communities to come together and create something for a worthy cause.

"It's not often people have the opportunity to step outside their usual realm of expertise and be part of a larger project which challenges and extends their skills," he says. "The Electric Superbike initiative is being managed by experienced Intercad engineers to ensure the bike is structurally sound, road tested and can be registered. The end result will actually be something tangible to which those involved can attach their names."

The Electric Superbike will be tested by V8 supercar driver Craig Lowndes.

Lowndes says the project is a great opportunity for designers and engineers in Australia and New Zealand.

"When I heard about the concept of the Electric Superbike I was definitely excited," he said. "This is the bike of the future and I'm really interested to ride the winning design. It's certainly going to be something different and it will be great to see the end result of a creation that could potentially change the future of motorcycles."

Entries are now open, with part one of the design phase, the frame design, kicking off the project. Entrants can submit a design in SolidWorks for any of the parts of the motorcycle - the frame, mechanics, electronics and batteries, fairing and styling, and accessories - or a complete design. To ensure safety in design, contestants are required to download a file with the structural parameters to create their own design.

The build phase will follow, then testing and, finally, the auction. At the end of each phase, a review team comprising Ian Drapier, Drawing Office Manager, Triple Eight Race Engineering; Julian Spencer, Product Manager, Intercad; and Rodney O'Conner, Application Engineer, Intercad, will judge the entries, with winners chosen on the creativity, build-ability, safety and weight of their designs.

A blog (www.theelectricsuperbike.com.au) will chart the progress of the design from start to finish, offering the opportunity for the wider community to provide comment and suggestions as the motorbike evolves.

John van Groningen, CEO, Red Dust Role Models, believes in all types of positive role models and initiatives and says the company is both proud and privileged to be involved in this innovative project.

"Red Dust uses positive role models to encourage healthy life decisions and our association with Craig Lowndes gives us a high profile role model who is passionate about his profession as well as helping the disadvantaged youth with whom Red Dust works," he says. "We are also excited about the potential positive environmental implications of the Electric Superbike."

"TeamVodafone has been involved with Red Dust Role Models for the last three to four years," says Lowndes. "What they stand for and what they do for the indigenous community is just incredible, and I couldn't be happier the proceeds will be going to them."

Triple Eight Race Engineering's Drapier says the team is passionate about the pursuit of excellence in the design and manufacture of its race cars and Intercad plays a huge role in helping us fulfill these ambitions.

"There are also many of us here that share a passion for motorcycling, so we are genuinely excited to be part of a project that shares this with the best of what the Australian and New Zealand design and manufacturing communities have to offer. The fact that this project has a social conscience and will ultimately benefit the Red Dust Role Model initiative makes it all the more worthwhile."

About Intercad Pty Ltd

Intercad Pty Ltd is the leading distributor of SolidWorks in Australia and New Zealand. Intercad Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned company specialising in Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering, Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (MCAE/CAD/CAM) solutions. Established in 1989 with offices in each major state capital in Australia and in New Zealand, its core activities include software sales, technical support, training and consulting services.

www.intercad.com.au

About the Electric Superbike Project

The Electric Superbike Project is a community-based initiative which brings together budding and experienced designers, engineers and manufacturers to create and build a completely unique motorbike. Overseen by experienced engineers at Intercad, the winning design will be auctioned off to charity, with all proceeds going to Red Dust Role Models, a non-profit organisation seeking to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged youth living in remote communities.

www.theelectricsuperbike.com.au