Prototype electric car made with a 3D printer, from gizmag.
It looks like Local Motors is getting some company in the 3D-printed car arena. German electric vehicle manufacturer StreetScooter recently completed the prototype of its C16, most of the exterior components of which were created using a Stratasys Objet1000 3D Production System.
The 3D-printed parts of the car include its front and back panels, door panels, bumper systems, side skirts, wheel arches and lamp masks, along with some smaller interior items.
Although many parts of the production version of the C16 will be built using more conventional methods, the 3D printing approach allowed the prototype to be constructed inexpensively, and within just 12 months. That said, it’s reportedly still able to “perform in strenuous testing environments to the same level as a vehicle made of traditionally manufactured parts.”