An innovative 3D-printed, drivable car is to be printed and assembled during The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 (IMTS 2014). The vehicle, named ‘Strati’ will be driven out on September 13, 2014.
The IMTS show will take place over 6 days. During that period, the car will be 3D-printed over a period of 44 hours. Following this, Local Motors will lead a team to quickly assemble the vehicle for the historic driving event.
The mechanical components such as motor, battery, suspension and wiring are sourced from different suppliers including the Twizy from Renault, which is a electric-powered city car product line.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Cincinnati Incorporated and Local Motors have collaborated in this venture. Direct digital manufacturing (DDM) will be employed for 3D printing the vehicle in a single piece and this is considered to be the first time that this process has been employed for production of a car. The US DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL developed the advanced production techniques and the material science employed in manufacturing the vehicle.
The Strati 3D-printed car demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing digital manufacturing solutions that are also sustainable for the automotive industry.
This project represents the unique opportunity DOE’s National Laboratory System offers to the industry, to collaborate in an open environment to deliver fast, innovative, manufacturing solutions. 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.
Craig Blue, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Program and Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL
Cincinnati’s CEO, Andrew Jamison, commented that for actual production Big Area Additive Manufacturing machines could be utilized. These machines could deposit carbon reinforced ABS plastic at the rate of 40lb/h.
The Association for Manufacturing Technology will be showcasing the Strati at its Emerging Technology Center.
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