WORLDS FIRST 3D Printed Automobile unveiled in United States

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• published: 12 Apr 2015
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Great news for the automotive industry with the unveiling of the worlds first 3D printed automobile. Strati is an electric car manufactured by Local Motors in collaboration with Cincinnati Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory[2] with open-source design. It is the world's first three-dimensional-printed electric car.[3] The manufacturing of the car was done through a 3D printing process set up by Cincinnati Incorporated over a 44-hour period[3] at the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show in McCormick Place, Chicago. The printing was followed by three days of milling and assembling, with the completed car first test-driven on September 13, 2014. Although disputed, Strati is claimed to be the world's first 3D-printed car. It is, however, the world's first 3D printed 'electric' car.[4][1] esign[edit] In April 2014, Local Motors organized the 3D Printed Car Design Challenge crowdsourcing to assist in the production of a full-body 3D-printed car. Seven finalists were selected from more than 200 submissions. In June 2014, Local Motors announced that the challenge was won by Michele Anoé of Italy, who was awarded the $5,000 prize.[5] Specifications[edit] The two-seat Strati is considered to be a "neighborhood" electric car. Depending on the configuration of the battery packs, the range of the car can be 100 to 120 mi (160 to 190 km) with top speeds of 40 mph (64 km/h). The car is not designed to be used on highways, as it does not meet the required safety test requirements. Production is planned by the end of 2014, with prices between $18,000 and $30,000.[6] Manufacturing Local Motors uses a 3D printing process to manufacture all body parts except the mechanical parts of the Strati. Strati is printed from thermoplastic using a big area additive manufacturing (BAAM)[8] machine (this is, a big area 3D-printing machine) which is a process with high energy consumption that impacts the environment. The environmental impact is offset by the fully recyclable material, which can be chopped and reprocessed to be used in printing another car. After the car is printed, the mechanical and electrical parts such as battery, motors, and suspension are manually assembled.[6] The printing process has been improved since July 2014, bringing the printing time of 140 hours down to less than 45 hours in September. The company expects the process will be reduced to less than 24 hours by the end of the year and will eventually be less than 10 hours to compete with the 10-hour production time of the traditional car manufacturers. The world's first title[edit] Disputes exist over the title of the world's first 3D-printed car. In 2010, a hybrid car "Urbee"[9] was 3D-printed using an additive manufacturing process for the entire body.[10] Local Motors claimed that Urbee's manufacturer only 3D-printed the panels and other exterior parts, but used standard parts for the internal structure. For Strati, the company claimed that 3D printing was used for all except the parts that are "mechanically involved". Strati still holds the honor of the world's first 3D-printed electric car.[1][3] Local Motors is an American motor vehicle manufacturing company focused on low-volume manufacturing of open-source motor vehicle designs using multiple microfactories. They were founded in 2007 with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] Current products range from the Rally Fighter automobile and Racer motorcycle; through various electric bicycles, tricycles, and children's ride-on toy cars; to radio-controlled model cars and skateboards. They 3D print some components to the vehicles and toys they sell.[2] Strati[edit] Main article: Strati (automobile) Local Motors in collaboration with Cincinnati Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory manufactured Strati, the world's first 3D printed electric car.[3] The printer was set up by Cincinnati Incorporated with the printing that took 44 hours to complete with live audience at the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show in McCormick Place, Chicago.[4] They are hoping for production by 2015. A car is a wheeled, self-powered motor vehicle used for transportation. Most definitions of the term specify that cars are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.[3][4] The year 1886 is regarded as the birth year of the modern car. In that year, German inventor Karl Benz built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Cars did not become widely available until the early 20th century. One of the first cars that was accessible to the masses was the 1908 Model T, an American car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Cars were rapidly adopted in the United States of America, where they replaced animal-drawn carriages and carts, but took much longer to be accepted in Western Europe and other less-developed parts of the world.