The 4ekolka is a 3D printed car that uses additive manufacturing to reduce its weight to create a more economical vehicle. The prototype cost is only $12,000. Although it is not meant for high performance as it can travel only up to 34 miles per hour, it is intended to get a person from point A to point B using the streets. It was made based on a European study that most drivers drive only 31 miles per day.
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The Daihatsu Copen uses FDM to create some aspects of customization such as decorative Effect Skins, which uses Direct Digital Manufacturing. Stratasys made these Effect Skins in ASA thermoplastic.
Kabuku, a 3D printing company in Japan, printed the body for the Micro Commuter using FDM in about two months. The exterior panels and luggage space were 3D printed. This 600 kg vehicle only has space for a driver.
Are you a fan of Elvis? Well, this BMW 507 belonged to Elvis. BMW restored it using additive manufacturing to replace parts, such as, the door handles and window winders.
If you follow up on additive manufacturing in the auto industry, you’ve probably heard of the Strati. Local Motors created it with high intentions of reducing weight and the number of parts to save money. The whole vehicle is only composed of 40 parts! This car was fully printed in only 44 hours! Most of the parts including the chassis, seats, body, and dashboard were 3D printed from carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. There were a couple of parts not 3D printed such as the wheels and the battery, but I think it’s safe to call it a 3D printed car.
Local Motors also created the LM3D. They are unique because they use collaborative design to create a single, 3D printed piece. 75% of the original LM3D was 3D printed including the chassis and body panels using ABS plastic and carbon fiber material.
This 3D printed bus, also known as the Olli, is electric, autonomous and can fit up to 12 people. Most parts are made in local microfactories and can be produced within 10 hours and assembled in 1 hour. The bus was 3D printed on a Cincinnati additive manufacturing machine (BAAM) developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. To find out more about Olli, see
here.
Using SLM (Selective Laser Melting), Divergent 3D created the Blade. Their goal is to develop cars 90% lighter than the average car. They currently 3D print joints that are connected to carbon fiber structural materials to build a sturdy chassis.
Using SLS, EGAG’S Genesis encompasses the concept of a turtle’s shell to reflect their idea of safety. Additive manufacturing allowed for complex geometries for this car. EDAG assesed the following additive manufacturing processes: SLS, SLM, SLA, and FDM. Through their research, they found FDM to be promising for the future of additive manufacturing. EDAG said, “Unlike other technologies, FDM makes it possible for components of almost any size to be produced, as there are no predetermined space requirements to pose any restrictions. Instead, the structures are generated by having robots apply thermoplastic materials.”
Using SLM and SLS, the Soulmate was born. The car is lightweight and uses the internet of things to connect physical parts with electronics and sensors. The exterior of the car is 3D printed, which explains its lightweight design.
The Light Cocoon measures 19 grams per square meter. It has a leaf-like outer skin to symbolize nature. The material is made from Jack Wolfskin, which is four times lighter than standard copier paper.
Only 340 Lotus 340r cars were produced between 1999 and 2000. This popular collector’s car found an issue – obtaining spare parts. CIDEAS created its models of parts using 3D scanners (Geomagic Capture), making it possible to produce more than 40 replacement parts. Each part was created in the material best suited for its needs. For stereolithography, 3D Systems iPro 8000 Systems was used, and for selective laser sintered parts, they used 3D Systems sPro60HD/HS.
At Ivaldi, we believe that additive manufacturing is the future of the automotive industry. By 2019, additive manufacturing will be worth $1.1 billion in the automotive industry, according to Global Manufacturing. It will have a predominant role in the spare parts industry and will allow OEMs to have a digital inventory to free up capital.
Bonus:
Did you know that the first functional 3D printed excavator in the world exists now? It was printed with a metal alloy. The parts that were 3D printed were the following:
- Stick: 7-foot-long made of low-cost steel in just 5 days
- Cab: printed in just 5 hours with carbon fiber reinforced ABS plastic
- Heat exchanger: created on the Concept Laser Xline 1000 powder bed machine
References
Futuristic EDAG Genesis 3D Printed Car World Premiere
Honda and Kabuku Inc. unveil 3D Printed Micro Commuter Vehicle
How 3D printing is redefining the auto manufacturing
ORNL’s Project AME, First Fully Functional 3D Printed Excavator, Unveiled at Las Vegas Expo
The Light Cocoon: EDAG Unveils Second 3D Printed Concept Car Inspired By Leaves
The Strati: World’s First 3D Printed Electric Car Built in Just 44 Hours
The 4ekolka: an impressive 3D printed, all-electric city car
16 Coolest 3D Printed Cars in the World (Right Now)
3D Scanning and Printing Used to Retrofit Lotus 340R
