The first 3-D printed electric car has been made in Chicago live at the International Manufacturing Technology Show. It took over two days and a total of 44 hours continuously to build Strati, the word itself meaning "layers" in Italian. The large 3-D printer machine was set up McCormick Place, the building hosting the event, by Cincinnati Incorporated. The electric car took its first test drive on Saturday and was a success. The vehicle is compromised of less than 50 carbon fiber plastic pieces and separate non-printable parts such as the engine, windshield and lights; the top speed of Strati is 40 mph and a range of 120 miles on one charge. Local Motors, the company who came up with Strati plans to sell the car at a retail price of $18,000 and going up to $30,000. The CEO of Local Motors, John Rogers also hopes to start selling the 3D printed cars commercially in 2015 for city street use only, and hopefully it can gain highway use.
Both the articles I read over the monumental occasion highlighted the importance of the affordability of Strati car, but the first article emphasized the fact that now people could have reusable cars. The general public would not have to buy new cars for space or more seats, because the middle part of the car could be melted and made bigger to accommodate the driver's needs. In the second article, the possibility of Strati being available to a wide audience was emphasized. The general public, the military, regular joe and fleet customers could all use the electric, multi-layered car. But in the end, both articles support the idea of a cheaper, more affordable car and strongly look forward for the mass industrial production of it. The purpose of both the articles is to inform of the first functional 3-D printed car in the world and emphasize the importance of this event in contributing to the future of car production and affordability.
1. http://wgntv.com/2014/09/13/made-in-chicago-worlds-first-3d-printed-electric-car/?hpt=us_bn9
2. http://news.yahoo.com/3d-printed-car-140141613.html
Wow… this is an amazing innovation. It almost makes it seem like it's the ideal car, with the exception of the speed power and not being allowed on highways. It would definitely make electric cars more popular.
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