“Working with BEC on the Velobleu was like having a design, engineering and R&D specialist, all rolled into one. They assisted us in researching and developing the design to improve the total manufacturing cost and reduce the tooling capital costs. During field trials they helped us to overcome issues with water ingress, working tirelessly to provide innovative assembly solutions and rapid tooling modifications.”
Benoit Pondico, Veloway
Projects: Velobleu 1 & 2
Services: Complete end-to-end manufacturing: Design for manufacture, mould tool design & manufacture, material selection, plastic injection moulding, insert moulding, overmoulding, critical material trials to verify materials and ensure fit for purpose.
Our Client: Veloway is a subsidiary of Transdev, one of the largest public transport operators in Europe. With a focus on building flexible mobility solutions around bicycles, Veloway developed Velobleu, a highly successful fleet of self-service manual bikes along the Côte d’Azur, South of France. Following the success of Velobleu 1 and the advent of new technology, Veloway announced their intention for a pilot scheme to dispense electric and manual bikes, the Velobleu 2.
Our Mission: Having successfully manufactured the plastic injection moulded housing unit for Velobleu 1, Veloway asked us to make a specialist plastic injection moulded housing unit for Velobleu 2, securing both electric and manual bikes.
Sourcing the right plastic material for the housing unit was crucial and quite challenging. Only a high quality, durable plastic would be easy to use and strong enough to protect the system’s complex electronic components, withstand rough usage, potential vandalism, extreme temperatures and heavy rainfall, never mind its seaside location, constantly battered by salt water spray.
BEC Solution: By understanding the client’s requirements, we were able to recommend the best way to manufacture both the tooling and end product. Designing a complex electronic housing solution, recommending the best material, plastic injection moulding, specialist overmoulding, carrying out multiple material trials and supplying the new units which sit at the front and back of the bike securing point.
Result: 3,000 secure and popular bike stations situated along the Cote d’Azur. The success of this pilot scheme has meant that Velobleu will be rolled out across other areas of France.
Contact us to find out how we can help with the manufacture of your next plastic injection moulded housing units.
