[SoFloFreeper]

The first step in dismantling the thugs of the unions?

[Red Badger]

[Cringing Negativism Network]

That’s actually an interesting design.

Build them in America, however.

[Red Badger]

The top speed of the Strati is 40 mph and a it goes a range of 120 miles on one charge.

Okay for commuter, but kinda slow for NASCAR...................

[poobear]

Maybe. Still an electric vehicle topping 40 mph. Doubt Detroit is too worried. The printing of a decent battery replacement on the cheap might shake ‘em up!

[null and void]

Odd that the Urbee has disappeared from the universe...

3-D Printer Ping!

[Beagle8U]

All they did was ‘print’ some body parts, they didn’t print a car. A carpenter could do that in his garage using hand tools, a plywood frame, and hand laid fiberglass. Likely in less time.

[Scutter]

Here are some 3D printing facts that one should keep in mind when reading an article on the topic from media sources that don't really understand the technology.

• 3D printing is slow. It can take hours to print the parts for even a very simple prototype.
• 3D printed parts are not suitable for any sort of load-bearing application. They are not structurally sound. The posted article is very short on facts, but I can say with absolute certainty that they did not 3D print the actual engine. There has been some experimentation with 3D printing metal powder, which is then cast. I think this is what was used for the 3D printed gun. But this technology is still very experimental.
• 3D printing can be tricky to get right, and has problems with parts that have certain geometric characteristics (for example, it doesn't do parts with sharp overhangs).

So given all that, no, 3D printing is not even remotely close to creating the "Eventual Doom of UAW". In fact, if robotic assembly didn't do that, it's hard to see how 3D printing will.

3D printing is great for prototyping small parts. For example, at my job we 3D printed a 3D model of a populated circuit board so that we could check that the board when installed in the server had adequate clearance and wouldn't hang up on anything when the server was inserted or removed from the rack.

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

[caligatrux]

Then, the non-printable parts, like the engine, lights and glass windshield, were added.

[HangnJudge]

If you wait a year, this may go on sale
Elio motors at $6800

[iacovatx]

The point of this demonstration isn’t to suggest we can print cars. Rather, it is a change in manufacturing technology that means we can print body parts, dash parts, interior parts, etc. that don’t require expensive purpose-specific tooling, facilities, and personnel. It can be done by computer and goes straight into production. The component parts can be quickly altered if they don’t fit and can be modified as desired. Instead of warehousing component parts, you simply ‘warehouse’ the printer and the only parts lead time is the time required to print the part. It reduces costs and increases versatility.

Big move forward in manufacturing technology.

Yes, it can reduce the need to manufacture outside the US, that is, if you can reduce labor costs. Once the overall car’s production cost is reduced sufficiently that the labor required costs less than the transportation of the vehicle from a foreign manufacturer, SURPRISE, you can make the car competitively in the US. Manufacturing for export, however, is a different challenge.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Eventual Doom of UAW?

From your lips to God's ears.

[CommerceComet]

I think the claim to the first 3-D printed car is going to be challenged by several parties. I believe that the Keonigsegg One:1 is carbon fiber 3-D printed just in case you’re trying to one-up your neighbor who has a Bugatti Veyron or a Hennessey Venom.

[JimRed]

Have they performed the required crash tests yet?