A company known as Divergent Microfactories is exploring ways to dramatically change the way cars are manufactured, through the implementation of 3D printing technology. Though additive manufacturing parts were only recently considered not reliable enough for use in heavy machinery, the group has unveiled the world’s first 3D printed supercar.
This car, which has been dubbed Blade, has a chassis that consists entirely of printed aluminum nodes and carbon fiber connectors. The final product is only 1,388 pounds. Capable of 700 horsepower and 500lb-ft of torque, the Blade goes from zero to sixty in two seconds.
The technology that Divergent is showcasing here will not only make automotive manufacturing more efficient. It will also make the industry far greener. According to a report from the National Academy of Science, how a car is made is a bigger part of its carbon footprint than its actual emissions. If this process catches on, 3D printed cars has the potential to do far more for the environment than electric cars ever did.
