Sep 8, 2014
The number one "wow" factor at the IMTS - The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 is sure to be the complete construction of an electric car by Local Motors. Starting early on Sunday, September 7th, Local Motors begins building and delivering the first direct digital manufactured vehicle. The body printing was completed by the end of the day and be removed from the printer.
The world's first 3D-printed car will be live 3D printed and assembled during the six-day show. The vehicle will be printed and then rapidly assembled by a team led by Local Motors with the historic first drive set to take place the morning of Saturday, September 13.
The team starts from scratch employing direct digital manufacturing techniques and technology integration to make the parts and assemble the vehicle. This is a real-world demonstration of achieving sustainable manufacturing by using emerging technologies from additive to nanomanufacturing, all integrated in a digital environment.
Called the Strati, the vehicle will be 3D printed in one piece using direct digital manufacturing (DDM), which is the first time this method has been used to make a car. Mechanical components, like battery, motor, wiring, and suspension, are sourced from a variety of suppliers, including Renault's Twizy, a line of electric-powered city cars.
Selected from more than 200 submitted concepts, the winning design was created by Michele Anoé of Italy. Strati had a unique design - its main body can be 3D printed in one single piece. The removable seats allows you to 3D print customized color and material of your interior. It has also front carbon fiber support for headlamp, mirrors, windshields and electronic parts. It had "excellent balance between innovation, complexity and practicality," says Dr. Lonnie Love at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "It has good 3D lines and the retractable roof is really cool."
"The Strati was designed by our community, made in our Microfactory, and will be driven by you," said John B. Rogers, Jr., CEO of Local Motors. "This brand-new process disrupts the manufacturing status quo, changes the consumer experience, and proves that a car can be born in an entirely different way."
Local Motors partners with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to explore vehicle design and construction using 3D printing technologies. This effort will also include the engagement of ORNL partner Cincinnati Inc. and their innovative Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM).
"These partnerships are pushing the envelope on emerging technologies, such as large scale additive manufacturing, and accelerating the growth of manufacturing in the United States." said Craig Blue, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Program and Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL.
"The BAAM (Big Area Additive Manufacturing) machine can be used for actual production. The deposition rate of 40 pounds per hour of carbon reinforced ABS plastic and the large size mean that large parts, like a car, can be produced using additive technology," said Andrew Jamison, CEO of Cincinnati Incorporated.
The finished vehicle will be used as an example of how sustainable green technologies can reduce life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions, lower production cost, and create new products and opportunities for high paying jobs. Local Motors plans to launch production-level 3D-printed vehicles that will be available to the general public for purchase in the months following the show.
Posted in 3D Printing Company
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What's the price range gonna be on this new car? Less parts..should make it affordable for lower middle class society.
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