Photo: Ford
After using 3D printing techniques for testing purposes on race cars - yes, I'm talking about the 3D-printed manifold that helped Ford win 24 Hours of Daytona - Ford wants you to have your own 3D models.
From its inception, 3D printing took a lot of shapes and was used in a wide array of areas with promising results. It was only a matter of time before the auto industry turned its head to this new technology, but Ford adds the fun element with the 3D Store (3d.ford.com).
What does it do, you might ask? Well, in a nutshell, it allows fans to download digital images (the files cost $4.99) for Ford vehicles so they can later print them using a size and material of their choice.
Ford looked at a couple of studies before starting this initiative, with one of them claiming that sales of desktop 3D printers will exceed 1 million units by 2018, from an estimated 44,000 sold annually in 2014.
By now, you're probably wondering what cars are available for printing, right? We won't let you wait anymore: available 3D-printed Ford models include the new Ford GT, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST. Ford says this line-up will be expanded at a later time, and we're hoping to see some of the Blue Oval's classic rides.
You can also order ready-to-go 3D printed models at 1/32nd scale in plastic, and Ford suggests there's more to come in the future:
“3D printing at home is a growing trend, and it makes sense for us to offer our customers a chance to make their own 3D Ford models,” said Mark Bentley, licensing manager of Ford Global Brand Licensing. “At Ford, we’re using 3D printing every day to rapidly prototype parts, and now we want to share that fun with our fans.”
What does it do, you might ask? Well, in a nutshell, it allows fans to download digital images (the files cost $4.99) for Ford vehicles so they can later print them using a size and material of their choice.
Ford looked at a couple of studies before starting this initiative, with one of them claiming that sales of desktop 3D printers will exceed 1 million units by 2018, from an estimated 44,000 sold annually in 2014.
By now, you're probably wondering what cars are available for printing, right? We won't let you wait anymore: available 3D-printed Ford models include the new Ford GT, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST. Ford says this line-up will be expanded at a later time, and we're hoping to see some of the Blue Oval's classic rides.
You can also order ready-to-go 3D printed models at 1/32nd scale in plastic, and Ford suggests there's more to come in the future:
“3D printing at home is a growing trend, and it makes sense for us to offer our customers a chance to make their own 3D Ford models,” said Mark Bentley, licensing manager of Ford Global Brand Licensing. “At Ford, we’re using 3D printing every day to rapidly prototype parts, and now we want to share that fun with our fans.”
Google News