The New York International Auto Show roared into the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center this week and Toyota, the world’s top automakers, made a splash with 3D printed versions of its FT-1 concept car by MakerBot, a global leader in the desktop 3D printing industry.
MakerBot was at the Toyota booth this week at the New York International Auto Show 3D printing models of the Toyota FT-1 concept car. (Photo: Business Wire)
From now through April 27, visitors to the Toyota exhibit can view the FT-1 concept car on display and watch as a scaled-down model is 3D printed on a MakerBot® Replicator® 2 Desktop 3D Printer. Visitors interested in 3D printing can also participate in a daily drawing to win a MakerBot Replicator 2 for the remainder of the auto show.
“Automotive manufacturers have always been enthusiastic and early adopters of 3D printing, starting 25 years ago when 3D printing was first introduced,” noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “3D printing brings an affordable and immediate impact to the development and design of cars. A concept designed in a CAD file can be 3D printed, reviewed and immediately tested for consumer feedback. When Toyota proposed creating a 3D printed version of the FT-1 concept car at the New York International Auto Show, we immediately jumped on board for the ride.”
“It is remarkable that MakerBot technology can help automotive manufacturers like Toyota with design methodology, manufacturing and QA processes,” said Mark Schulze, MakerBot’s vice president of sales. “This demonstration proves that previously unthinkable solutions to everyday problems can now be found by giving engineers access to 3D printers.”
MakerBot was also on hand at the Toyota Arcade on April 16, a media party hosted by Toyota at the Standard Biergarten, in conjunction with the two-day New York International Auto Show press preview. On display at the event was the Toyota FT-1 in addition to two MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers 3D printing keychain-sized models of the FT-1 in real time for partygoers. MakerBot also provided 3D trophies for winners of the Toyota FT-1 editors’ challenge, which took place during the event.
The New York International Auto Show is open to the public now through April 27; show hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. To learn more, visit autoshowNY.com.