The first 3D printed electric car, the Strati, produced by Local Motors in collaboration with Cincinnati Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has attracted widespread attention. Will 3D printing go on to revolutionize the automobile manufacturing industry? A report appearing on the Securities Daily aims to shed more light on this topic.
One of the biggest issues facing 3D printing is the procurement of proper materials. An unnamed analyst explained that "the availability of strong enough materials is a crucial matter," adding that automobile material needs to meet strict safety standards. The analyst pointed out that at the moment most 3D printers print plastic-like materials, which are fit for making models, but not strong enough for actual use.
However, a member of domestic own brand manufacturer Dongfeng Group's technology team offered a different viewpoint. He explained: "3D printing of automobiles is the leading trend of the future. Currently a lot of production models for automotive parts are made using 3D printing technology, which are used by OEMs. While printing a whole automobile is very difficult and impractical, printing specific parts with the technology is very possible."
The Local Motors Strati (pictured) uses Battlax tires which can reach a maximum speed of 50 mph. A speed limiter was installed on the vehicle due to safety concerns, limiting its max speed to 25 mph. Due to its low top speed, the car is lacking a few safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags.
Aside from its engine, battery, cables, seats, glass, suspension , tires and similar parts, nearly 50 of the Strati's auto parts were printed using 3D printed technology. Local Motors is currently looking into how to make the vehicle road legal, with official sales expected to start next year. The car will carry a price tag of around $18,000 (110,092 RMB).
While this news may come as a shock to some, the above analyst was quick to point out that 3D printing has been in use for a long time now, adding that its earliest use was for making automobile production models. "This isn't something new." The analyst stated while that it would be possible to create a car using this technology, it wasn't very practical. "3D printing automobiles, as a concept, aren't very realistic." That said, the analyst pointed out that 3D printing does offer some advantages, including simplicity and low costs. However, these are held back by its lack of strength and precision of printed material.
While 3D printing indeed comes off as very fashionable and modern, the truth is automobiles impose very high standards on safety that 3D printing alone isn't enough to satisfy. To use 3D printing to successfully create complex parts such as engines and transmissions will be very difficult to accomplish.
However, even if 3D printing's use in automobile production is limited to creating production models, that shouldn't be taken as a negative. As the above analyst points out: "building production models is a very expensive endeavor, 3D printing can help lower these costs by allowing us to print whatever we want."
