3D-Printed 'Urban Concept' Vehicle Assembled by Singapore Students.

students at Singapore's Nanyang Engineering University have created the island republic's first 3D-printed concept vehicle. The NTU Venture 8 (NV8) is made on a co2 fiber single-shell framework. Its 150 3 dimensional parts were constructed from lightweight plastic which are created on printers in the university, 3D printer's manufacturer Stratasys, as well as the Singapore-MIT Alliance intended for Research and Engineering. The vehicle incorporates a honeycomb structure and is partially powered by solar cells designed to flow with the shape of the particular chassis. It's an "urban concept" car that can hit 60 kph, as well as about 40 mph. "Their efforts display the potential use of 3D printing of various components within a motor vehicle, " Pete Basiliere, an investigation vice president at Gartner, told TechNewsWorld. It's not possible to bodily 3D print a total car, including gadgets, tires and the rest, but "I anticipate that 3D printed accessories to the passenger cabin, in metal together with plastic, will are the first practical makes use of of 3D producing in automobiles, trucks along with other vehicles, " Basiliere said. Safety Issues The actual NV8 weighs 120 kg, as well as about 260 single pound. Compare that to the 2012 Smart Fortwo, which weighs in at 1, 808 weight, or the 2012 Mini Cooper hatchback, which usually tips the machines at 2, 535 weight. That could certainly be a problem. Due to its lightweight, the NV8 wouldn't only be unsafe within the roads, but would also have the ability to carry only fairly light passengers. Investigation into creating risk-free, lightweight cars will be ongoing. A European range is investigating the usage of graphene-based materials to enhance both vehicle and occupant safety even though remaining very lighting. However, safety boils because of simple physics: A bigger, heavier vehicle may, through its large mass and fat, severely damage a smaller, lighter one, no matter how strong the particular latter is. Put another way, there's no doubt of the result of a impact between a flabby elephant as well as the world's strongest guy. One Among Several The NV8 is never ever the first principle vehicle whose system was made utilizing 3D printers. "The 3D-printed vehicle at CES 2015 was likely an even better all-around vehicle, inch Rob Enderle, principal analyst in the Enderle Group, advised TechNewsWorld. He was mentioning the vehicle via Local Motors, and this can be ordered from the company's website and will be powered by electrical energy. The chassis, figure, exterior body and a few interior features are generally 3D printed, according to the company. The mechanical components including the battery, motors, wiring and suspension are sourced in the Renault Twizy. Local Motors hopes to supply its vehicle inside U. S. sometime in 2015 -- immediately after clearing government rules for vehicles. Another printed car would be the two-passenger Urbee via Canadian firm KOR EcoLogic, that is printed on 3 dimensional printers from Stratasys. KOR is currently seeking crowdfunding due to the second prototype, the particular Urbee 2. Not Yet to the Masses "The dream of to be able to print out 3 dimensional car parts to change damaged ones isn't likely to happen -- you will want industrial-class 3D laser printers, " Jenifer Howard, spokesperson intended for MakerBot, now owned or operated by Stratasys, advised TechNewsWorld. In inclusion, "3D printing perfect for prototyping but definitely not for mass production, " Jim McGregor, main analyst at Tirias Investigation, told TechNewsWorld. "Automobiles are incredibly complex machines. inch The cost factor also comes into play. 3D printing "is both too slow and too expensive to use intended for high volume, but that could change over occasion, " Enderle said. "Cost-effective 3D producing for manufacturing at volume is still years sometime soon. " New materials is likewise needed. MarkForge incorporates a 3D printer that can work with co2 fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass, McGregor added, so "I won't say never. It's amazing what you can do with 3D producing.