3D printing combined with new materials such as titanium may realize customized parts for automobiles

In the field of automobile manufacturing and modification, 3D printing is often regarded as an effective means to realize customized parts, and the combination of 3D printing technology and a variety of new materials such as carbon fiber and titanium metal can create a more attractive appearance. At the same time significantly improve performance. Recently, the car tuning plant 1016 Industries has integrated 3D printed performance parts into the one-time McLaren 720S sports car ultra-light version, which more effectively reduces the weight of the car product, which is 9% lighter than the standard version of the car.

After years of redesigning and revamping its $550,000 prototype 3D printed components, 1016 Industries finally determined a fully operable and scalable design. In addition to making the exterior trim of disposable cars entirely composed of exposed carbon fiber, the company also incorporated additive-manufactured components into its interior bumpers.

For performance-critical 3D printed parts, these parts are mainly concentrated in the tail, which in addition to various connecting rods also includes functional titanium alloy supports. The combination of the appearance and assembly changes of 1016 Industries brought a significant lightweight advantage to its prototype, because the custom 720S weighs 122 kilograms (268 pounds) lighter than the factory model.

Considering the weight of this super sports car is about 1,419 kg (3,128 lb), the company effectively used 3D printing and carbon fiber repair technology to reduce the weight of its special edition by nearly 9%. According to Northrop, the success of this project can serve as the basis for the future development of automotive design.

As an expert in the development of exotic cars, 1016 Industries used additive manufacturing in previous car modification projects, but this product represents the company's best case study on this technology to date. In the vehicle development process, the company can fully adapt 3D printing to a large-scale manufacturing process and produce parts that can effectively support the new lightweight carbon fiber exterior of modified vehicles.

Practice has proved that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is essential for optimizing the design of one-off supercars, and a comprehensive analysis method is used to develop prototypes and final parts. Given that the success of its special-edition supercar has proved this strict design standard, 1016 Industries now plans to provide 3D printing molds for the 720S and other exotic cars in the future.

Nicole