3D Printed Car
Divergent Microfactories have built the first supercar using 3D printing technology and it is faster than any supercar in the world. Blade, the first 3D printed supercar has reduced the factory capital cost by 1/50 when compared to a regular supercar and emission levels to 1/3 when compared to an electric car. They are not the first company to try their hands on 3D printing. Local Motors have built a regular car with 3D printers several times.
The manufacturers of Blade claim that the car can reach 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds and weighs around 2,300lbs.
Yes, it is a day walker as well but no, it does not hunt vampires!
Why 3D printing matters?
Their vision is to decentralize the manufacturing process in the automobile industry. Some manufacturers are moving towards electricity and battery operated cars in order to curb pollution (almost everyone still drives a gas powered car though), however, the production process is still dirty. This is why 3D printed cars matter because they promise a cleaner and faster way to manufacture just about anything and automobiles are definitely one of them. 3D printer is changing the way we think and build objects.
Imagine a world where regular individuals are teaming up to create or invent objects. 3D printers in a way can solve the problem of talent acquisition. Have you broken your side mirror that is made out of plastic? You can now replace it in a few hours without ever visiting your local automobile shop or auto parts store.
Prototypes are being made every single day and small companies are rushing in to fill in the gaps between demand and supply. A large number of 3D printing companies have sprung to life selling printers and related equipment to hobbyist and enthusiasts. There are so many objects that are made of plastic, and so many other objects that you can replace with 3D printed products. The possibilities are endless here. You can use a lot of other materials like titanium, metal, nylon, polyamide, steel, etc. to build stuff.
Personalize Everything
Imagine you can replace broken car parts on the fly, or even better, change factory fitted parts with something unique of your own little imagination. A car that is ready to be customized like the Google funded Ara project where you can change different modules of a smartphone to configure and create your own unique version. Maybe one day you will be able to switch different parts of your car with your own customized parts making your car faster, better, and more personal. This is why 3d printing technology matters. It has the potential to change the world as we know it.
So the manufacturing process will get decentralized. You will no longer need a massive facility to build an entire car from scratch. Instead, the production process will be scattered across the world.
There is a lot potential here at a fundamental level, and 3D printing is going to play a big role in reshaping the automobile industry.
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