Supercars and 3D printing looks like match made to make the future of automobiles much more pleasing. Divergent Microfactories’ Blade — a new concept has gone a tad too far by combining 3D printing with a roaring 700 HP bi-fuel engine.
Although, this is not the first time that such concept has surfaced, last year Local Motors came out with totally 3D printed Strati. The distinguishing factor between Strati and Blade, as proclaimed by Blade’s inventors is that it is an amalgamation of 3D printing and the assembly of carbon fiber, which provides top of the line flexibility and speedy construction too. The company calls it the “Node technique”.
As per the CEO of Divergent Microfactories, Normal car manufacturing process brings more initial project costs and is also harmful for the environment meanwhile 3D printing is much more affordable but takes more production time for each component than the tradition manufacturing. The 3D printing is done from aluminum and not plastic, it performs as a joint for carbon fiber tubing. When brought together piece by piece, it can very well form the chassis of the car with the requirement of lesser 3D printing (credit to carbon-fiber).
Divergent Microfactories also proclaims that the chassis prepared with the aforementioned method is about 90 percent lighter than the one made by the traditional manufacturing method. To prove its point, the start-up is soon launching the Blade and is combining the 3D printing and new manufacturing methods with a 700 HP bi-fuel engine. The engine can be easily powered by CNG or gasoline. The company also claims that the Blade can attain speed of 0-60 mph in just 2 seconds, and it weighs 1,400 pounds. Blade will be a pretty limited low-production model and the company has not yet revealed any detail about the pricing and launch date.
The primary motive of the company seems bringing the Node technique under the spotlight. Many start-ups initially eye on bringing their methods under the market scanner in order to attain investments and that’s what Divergent Microfactories is also trying to achieve. The concept seems cool and pretty legit, only time will tell how far it will go to make it possible to the part of forthcoming automobiles
Filed in . Read more about 3D Printing.