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Until quite recently, the impact of 3D printing in the automotive industry had been limited to research and development. But increasingly, the technology is gaining the potential to disrupt car manufacturing, and moving from printing prototypes to printing end-use parts.
The market for 3D printing worldwide will see a threefold increase in current revenues, reaching $21.5billion in 2025 – a rise that could overcome some of the challenges in traditional car manufacturing.
With expectations high and international attention increasing, automotive manufacturers are responding to the increasing influence of 3D printing in the manufacturing process Arizona-based technology company Local Motors has announced that it will begin taking pre-orders for what it calls the 'world's first 3D printed car' known as the Strati in the spring of 2016, with manufacturing and delivery expected in early 2017.
PE caught up with chief executive and co-founder of Local Motors to discuss the company's developments in 3D printing and what the future of the technology holds for the automotive industry.
Jay Rogers, chief executive, Local Motors
You have launched a 3D printed electric car which you expect to be on sale to the public next year. What challenges have you overcome in manufacturing the car?
For the past 100 years the basic material in cars has been metal – which is commonly accepted as an isotropic substance. Moving to the use of fibre-reinforced polymers as the basic material in a car has caused us to learn how to make complex structure with material that is anisotropic. Said simply, our first and biggest challenge has been to unlock the potential of directional material in order to build systems which are safe, smart and sustainable.
What was behind the decision to 3D print the vehicle?
Tooling costs and their capital intensity are the handmaidens of sluggish innovation cycles. At its heart, LM has always promised its community that it would be nimble and product driven. Real ideas, real tests, real-time. 3D printing has been a major contributor in achieving that reality.
What other materials are you using on the 3D printed car?
Performance materials (polymers, additives, fibre reinforcements, adhesives, metals, elastomers), are the pallet which we use to make to make the car. With more choice comes more opportunity to test, refine and push the boundaries of safety and security to new heights.
What issues are involved with such an innovative approach to car manufacturing? Is legislation a big issue?
Financing and insurance are often issues in the minds of partners and customers because any new products that are not well tested in the market represent inherent risk from a residual value and warranty perspective. LM has approached solving these problems by applying speed of iterative development to solve problems and achieve customer trust and satisfaction more quickly.
What does the future hold for 3D printing in automotive? Do you expect 3D printing for automotive to take over from traditional manufacturing?
Predictions about the future of manufacturing processes are famously best left to pundits. At Local Motors, we certainly see a future where the advantages of direct digital manufacturing will outweigh those of traditional vehicle production. Strong effort and a little bit of time will tell whether our assumptions are correct.