It might be hard to conceive, but 3D printing is the future. It has come a long way already, from the early days of making little tri-dimensional tchotchkes(Opens in a new window) that take up space and gather dust. Last year they started to go mainstream as the prices dropped and big names like Adobe and Microsoft supported them with drivers.
Then things started to scale up. Way up.
There’s been talk about 3D printing of homes, buildings, and bridges. Materials used in 3D printing are getting more diverse. So it’s not hard at all to imagine someone making the parts for a car—or the entire chassis for a vehicle. That’s exactly what’s happened. Auto shows are replete with new designs, and many are coming from additive manufacturing machines—that’s what they call the 3D printers that can handle a sedan-sized print job.
On the next few pages, take a look at the world’s first and, to date, most exciting 3D-printed vehicles. As the printers get bigger and better, this is only going to get even cooler for drivers, car aficionados, and gawkers on the street.
1. Areion by Formula Group T
Areion was a horse in Greek myths. In 2012, it was one of the first 3D-printed race cars. It went from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds after it was created by a 16-person team and Materialise(Opens in a new window).
2. Reload Redacted Swim/Sport
Designed by Kevin Lo from Vancouver, WA, for Local Motors (Opens in a new window) of Chandler, AZ, this car design won Local’s competition this year. When/if it goes on sale as early as next year, the customizable design could cost between $18,000 and $30,000.
In time for the North American International Auto Show last January, ORNL decided to take what it learned making the Strati and make a replica of one of the coolest cars ever—the first to be registered federally(Opens in a new window) as a “historic car.” According to 3DPrint.com(Opens in a new window), a team of six set out to do it in six weeks and succeeded, just in time for a visit by President Obama and VP Biden.
5. Singapore Student Urban Solar Electric Prototype
Earlier this year, students at at Nanyang Technological University built a Robocop-looking prototype car with a 3D-printed cabin that can reach about 35 mph.
6. Si Hai 3D Technology’s Shuya
According to 3DPrinting Industry(Opens in a new window), the Chinese, not to be outdone by companies like local motors, saw the Strati and jumped at making their first 3D car, called the Shuya. It took five days to print the “tryrant gold” colored chassis. The car could hit 25 mph on its electric motor. Supposed cost to make it: $1,770.
7. Urbee by Kor Ecologic
Designed by Jim Kor and his engineers to be the greenest it can be, Urbee 2(Opens in a new window) looks like the futuristic cars we expect from the movies. It weighs 1,200 pounds, coasts around 25 mph (with no top speed listed), and is expected to only use 10 gallons of ethanol to drive across the U.S.
8. Blade Supercar
Just last month, we covered this vehicle from Divergent Microfactories. It’s no slouch: 0 to 60 in 2 seconds. The chassis is made of Nodes, which are 3D-printed aluminum joints that connect carbon fiber tubing parts, making it light but strong.
Get Our Best Stories!
Sign up for What’s New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
[ad_2]
Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-coolest-3d-printed-cars-so-far
