This outstanding looking beast hides a secret: it has a 3D printed chassis.
Named the ‘Blade’ and created by Divergent Microfactories, the car uses the kind of technology that looks to revolutionize the expensive and intricate process of building automobiles, making it more affordable and efficient for small-scale car manufacturers.
By using laser-based 3D-printing with metal powders, Kevin Czinger – the man behind the project – creates tubular aluminum junctions that are connected to each other with the help of carbon fiber tubes, fabricating a modern space-frame chassis in the process.
According to Forbes, Brad Balzer – project lead engineer, says that “3D printing makes it easier to design intricate parts that would be hard to machine using traditional technologies”.
Regarding safety concerns, Divergent has intensely tested the aluminum node junctions and carbon fiber tubes and the components have proven to be reliable and strong.
The goal is to radically reduce weight, energy consumption, pollution and costs, making everything a little “greener” in the process. Of course, “greener” doesn’t mean less power, as the Blade automobile houses a 700 HP engine in a package that weighs less than 1,400 pounds (635 Kg). Is that astonishing, or what?
Okay, okay, it’s a concept, but the future doesn’t sound that bad, if you think about it.