3D printing promises to be the future of manufacturing, with the technology needing just a few more years until it will be suitable for crafting anything you want from different materials. And yes, you might even print your own car as Local Motors wants to demonstrate this year.
The International Manufacturing Technology Show in September this year will host Local Motor’s 3D printing contest finale, in which the team will print one of the over 200 designs submitted by the contestants.
Voting has ended now, and there are two designs competing for their materialization. The two come with their structural advantages and disadvantages, but Local Motors seems to have decided on the final winner, which will be the Strati. However, the second one might influence the final result a bit.
The Strati concept is what the jury chose and it is a two-seater buggy designed by Michele Anoe, featuring a single-piece body, removable seats and a few aluminum and carbon fiber reinforcements. Those extra pieces don’t quite mix with the printing method, so they might have to modify or find another way to shape them.
On the other hand, the people voted the ISF (Internal Strut Frame) concept as their favorite. This one comes with much sportier look than the go-kart looking Strati. It’s body comes with intricate side openings, a lower stance and it’s also longer. So maybe that’s why it won the public’s sympathy.
Each part of the final design will be printed layer by layer, finished off and assembled during a six-day period at the International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014, which is taking place in Chicago between 8-13th September.
Google News