World's first 3-D printed car takes test drive [Eventual Doom of UAW?]

WYFF-TV ^ | 9/16/14 | Sean Lewis

[SoFloFreeper]

In a matter of two days, history was made at Chicago's McCormick Place, as the world's first 3-D printed electric car -- named Strati, Italian for "layers"-- took its first test drive.

"Less than 50 parts are in this car," said Jay Rogers from Local Motors.

[thackney]

[Mr. K]

3D printing is also useful for automotive restorations.

Let’s say I have a broken front headlight bracket for a 1941 car that I cannot find anywhere. Through 3D printing I can scan and reverse a driver-side part and mirror image it for the passenger-side part.

[Red Badger]

Not everyone will want to build their own car just as some people don’t like mowing their own lawn but it could easily be possible and could be very competitive

So, they will all be made in Mexico?...................

[TexasGator]

Better relay your analysis to Boeing.

[Colinsky]

3D printing is not yet a substitute for more traditional methods of manufacturing such as subtractive methods (milling, machining), casting, etc.

You'd better get on the horn and let SpaceX know about this, as they are now using 3D printed rocket engines.

"Compared with a traditionally cast part, a printed valve body has superior strength, ductility, and fracture resistance, with a lower variability in materials properties. The MOV body was printed in less than two days, compared with a typical castings cycle measured in months. The valve’s extensive test program – including a rigorous series of engine firings, component level qualification testing and materials testing – has since qualified the printed MOV body to fly interchangeably with cast parts on all Falcon 9 flights going forward. "

http://tinyurl.com/pgjup4j

[CommerceComet]

'65 Marcos GT

Great minds think alike - I thought Marcos as soon as someone mention plywood and automobiles. Doesn't look like crap to me but TexasGator is partially correct - IIRC, the Marcos did have fit and finish issues.

[cuban leaf]

Think of the technology in 3, 5, 10, years....

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Yep. This is where my mind always goes with this sort of stuff.

[cuban leaf]

I’ve been following the Elio for over a year. It is still what we in IT call “vaporware”.

I have a 125 mile a day round trip commute over the twisties of Kentucky. If this car was actually available for the price and specs advertized, I’d lay down my credit card right on the spot. In that color, too.

But I’ll believe it when I see it actually for sale for that price.

[PapaBear3625]

3D printing, robotics, Cad/cam = end of UAW. Small shops can make custom cars all over now, no need for big manufacturing plants. A guy with a big garage can make custom engines with automatic 5 axis milling machines, etc. Yes the paradigm is changing allowing for decentralization of assembly of automobiles.

it would lead to decentralization of manufacturing, where a small company could order a standardized engine from one place, transmission from another, frame, body, etc and just put them together like I've custom-assembled a PC.

[DannyTN]

Electrics?

[TheOldLady]

If you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich? /s

;-)

[thackney]

Married with children.

My income is good, it is the outgo that is the problem.

[tumblindice]

“we in IT”

The Elio reminds me of the little Messerschmidt-like three-wheeler in Speiberg’s lefty wetdream movie “AI” (Artificial Intelligence) where stupid humans had melted the ice caps and flooded the world’s coastal cities.
In other words, these little toys are solutions to non-existent problems. But knock yourself out.

[thackney]

I should have included that I am rich, just not with monetary wealth. It is the married with children the provides my riches.

[taxcontrol]

A few comments:

3D printing is slow - true for most plastics printers though they are getting faster. The laser printers appear to have a greater spead depending on the wattage of the laser

Load-bearing ... depends on the load. Some 3d printers can print in ceramic, concrete, metal etc. Some FDM 3d printers (most home plastics printers) can print in polycarbonate which is a fairly strong plastic. SLS laser printing “welds” the metal powder and directly forms the part. Further, 3d printers can be used to print molds that are then cast. So this can really cover a lot of the manufacturing process.

A point that also needs to be brought up is the accuracy requirement for a high efficiency modern engine. The thousands of an inch requirement means that, for now, the only real 3d technology able to print engine parts is SLS which is more expensive than the car.

Sharp overhangs in plastics can be accomodated with support structures that are removed in the post production finishing. There is even a water solulable extrusion that can be printed as the support material. This enables a part to be printed, then soaked in water to remove the support structures after the part has been printed. Again, such systems are beyond the price range for most home users at this time.

[cuban leaf]

Not everyone will want to build their own car just as some people don’t like mowing their own lawn but it could easily be possible and could be very competitive.

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It could also be one of those “death by a thousand cuts” things. Microbreweries had no impact on Budweiser - until there were a few thousand of them

[TheOldLady]

Yes. A lot of us have that problem as well, dear friend.

Thanks for being a good sport, as usual.

[TheOldLady]

Yes, you are indeed quite rich, Sir.

[thackney]

Not to mention my perpetual car payment for the 1 hp vehicle...

[cuban leaf]

In other words, these little toys are solutions to non-existent problems. But knock yourself out.

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It’s personal. The roads where I live are a motorcyclists paradise. I have a 125 mile round trip commute (which I currently do in a Scion FR-S because I love the drive). This would be a blast to drive and cut my $450 a month fuel bill in half It would also hold enough stuff to give me all the utilitarian value I need. And it keeps me from the elements, unlike a motorcycle, so I could use it to commute year round.

And I’ve also always wanted a three wheeler with the pair in the FRONT.

IOW, it is as if they asked me what I would like to drive to work every day and actually produced it. It may suck for most everybody else, but it’s perfect for me.

And I could drop it on my credit card and not bat an eye.