Cycle News

Cycle News 2023 Issue 27 July 11

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1503475

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Fundamental technology for increasing shell strength. Our manufacturing process and machines were independently designed more than 40 years ago. Using these time-tested pro- cesses and machines, Arai bonds togeth- er various materials. By molding the shells in-house, Arai creates helmet shells that are strong down to their edges. Arai's Preforma machine, created to pro- duce the first and last foundational layer of every Arai shell, has evolved as part of Arai's constant efforts to improve protection, and continues to evolve even now. Currently, Arai is working to improve the even distribution of fibers in order to create uniform layers in the preforma by using state-of-the–art digital techniques. In this process, Arai cuts Super Fiber to specified lengths, which is then drawn over the form by a vacuum. The flow of the fibers is controlled to efficiently scatter the fibers in certain sections according to the required thickness. Arai's longstanding belief is that, "It is better to accumulate improvements rather than do nothing." As such, improvements to the preforma come from Arai's desire to protect the heads of its wearers. Every helmet starts and ends with a preforma. The special AR mat is used to make the shell lighter and approximately 20 individual and unique components are used in lamination depending on model and size. From these components, an extremely strong shell is prodced. Compared to normal fiberglass, the "S" glass used in Arai's preforma is over six times more expensive, but 30% stronger. This Super Fiber, which is often used in aviation and aerospace, is used exclusively by Arai for helmet making

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