Posted on 09/14/2014 6:46:55 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The concept of Strati began just six months ago, before being brought to the showroom floor of the International Manufacturing Technology Show.
Attendees got a first-hand look at the body of the car being printed layer by layer over a 44-hour period. Then, the non-printable parts, like the engine, lights and glass windshield were added.
The top speed of the Strati is 40 miles per hour and a range of 120 miles on one charge.
Rogers says the initial retail cost will start at $18,000 and go upwards of $30,000. However, when it comes time for a change, many of the parts can be reused.
(Excerpt) Read more at whnt.com ...
44 hours to make a car body?
I think there are huge possibilities with repair parts for cars. As an example, I recently bought an engine bracket (not a motor mount but the bracket thatgoes beyween the mount and the block). These things rarely break andthe aftermarket sources had nothing. I finally found the one person on the planet who had a used one to sell. Then I had to wait a week for it to arrive.
With the right printer, I would pay good money to download the part and print it.
lol
We aren’t there yet; if the bracket was metal it can be done but with another step. Nearly all “desktop” 3d printers use thermoplastics, so the part can first be printed in that medium and then be used to form a mold and metal cast from that. Metal 3d printing can be done, but by machines easily into the six figures. My lowly 4 figure machine gets the job done in PLA and ABS, however, and we are going to be where you want us to be in a few years.
It’s an enjoyable and frustrating hobby/avocation.
Power to the printer!
This is a huge improvement — the biggest complaint about the 2-D cars was, they kept tipping over in the turns.
Thanks BenLurkin.
now you’re talkin
my dream ride
great post!
Ahhh....I knew metal printing was possible - did not know how expensive it was.
I also considered the possibility of printing a mold...but most people don’t have the means to melt and cast metal either.
But also there are countless ‘do-dads’ and ‘widgets’ on a car that could be printed in plastic., so I see great potential there. And for antique cars, where parts are almost non-existent, I see potential.
Yeah, like the first version of the internet, the first computer, and the first airplane... none had commercialization in mind, but (in case you hadn't heard) each changed the face of the earth. Give it a chance, and see where it goes. Nobody is asking you to buy one or finance one. Just appreciate that someone did something interesting, and see where it goes from there.
They’re quoting a price and I was attempting to understand the reason or reasons to buy one, no more, no less. If the product can be customized for a one-off product, there may be merit to the price as the tech currently stands. If not, then not. The future will take care of itself. I trust my musings and questions will not deter these individuals. If they were such shrinking flowers they’d be in something less innovative, like teaching.
Granted the technology will have tremendous benefits in the future.
FYI-the material alone costs $25/lb. I saw this car being made and the components are much heavier than you might think. The printed car body is probably well over 1,000lbs. Ergo the car is a minimum of $25k just for the material for the body.
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