http://wot.motortrend.com/1409_local_mo ... video.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;The Local Motors Strati is the world’s first 3D-printed car. In order to showcase the future of Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) or 3D printing, Local Motors began printing the Strati at the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago this week.The idea behind a 3D-printed car is to simplify the design, eliminate the initial investment in tooling or the high cost of custom-built parts, and reduce the total number of parts needed to build an automobile, the company outlined in its project brief. Local Motors claims a modern vehicle has more than 20,000 parts, while the Strati has just 40. Total printing time for the single piece structure is said to take 44 hours with complete vehicle assembly taking two days. Other advantages include the ability to quickly change the design without the need for new tooling.
Developed by Oak Ridge National Labs, the hybrid additive/subtractive machine uses a large-diameter extrusion head for high-speed 3D printing. The same head can also machine surfaces later for more precise work. While mass production of 3D-printed cars seems promising, Local Motors acknowledges there is more research to be done such as designing the best structure, best materials to be used, and how to fasten other parts to the structure.Once those obstacles are sorted, Local Motors will integrate an electric powertrain into the structure. The flexible manufacturing company also intends to show how a 3D printed-car can be more economically feasible compared to traditional designs and manufacturing. The design was chosen from more than 200 online submissions from the Local Motors open source community.
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