First Car Just Drove Off A 3D Printer Instead Of A Production Line
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
3D printing has taken the world by storm, breaking ground in healthcare, manufacturing, ammunitions, sensory aids, and now even providing the world’s first computer-printed car.
Built by American company Local Motors, the car is a combination of carbon fiber and plastic, and the prototype was built in less than two days at the International Manufacturing Technology Show earlier in October.
The car, the “Strati,” has a 48-volt electric drivetrain bolted to an aluminum subframe in back, and the seats are printed into the tub and covered with scraps of padding.
According to Popular Mechanics, this first 3D printed car had to be done in four parts, since no existing 3D printer was large enough to handle the entire body.
Although other car parts have been printed before, this is the first time a car chassis has been printed in one piece, using direct digital manufacturing.
Only a few parts, like the electric engine, suspension, windshield, and tires, were made using traditional methods.
Local selected the Strati's design through a crowdsourcing competition, but cars could eventually take any shape, with designers turning CAD files into reality with a turnaround time — and price — unheard of in traditional manufacturing. Rogers figures the raw material to print a two-seater in carbon-reinforced plastic costs about $2,200.
Jay Rogers, cofounder and CEO of small-batch car company Local Motors believes that the Strati represents a revolutionary kind of transportation. His 3D car is light, uncomplicated, affordable, and highly personalized. “There are 25,000 parts in a normal production car,” Rogers says. Local’s 3D-printed car, will use, by his count, about 64.
Rogers thinks the 3D alternative could take root faster than anyone expects. “My vision is that this is disruptive innovation,” he says. “This is something we have to pay attention to.” When the first Strati hits the street, it'll mark a simple but profound change in vehicle manufacturing: Forget the parts. Just make the car.
Mashable's Lance Ulanoff was given the opportunity to test drive the Strati, and explained: “Even though this is a printed car, it doesn't give the impression of a kit or even cheaply made automobile. The leather-clad steering wheel feels solid in my hands. There's a tiny dash display for speed and nestled to the left and somewhat behind the steering wheel is a set of three buttons with the letters DNR.”
Ulanoff reports the car can travel at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, although early models will only be able to go 25 mph. This means they will be “neighborhood safe,” eliminating the need for seat belts and airbags, but not street legal. The first models are expected to go on sale in the next year, and will cost around $14,000.
According to Ulanoff, upgrades to the cars will be implemented in the near future. Anyone who purchases an early model will be able to have their old chassis recycled and get a new, street-legal model printed for them.