“Stratasys’ 3D printing expertise gave us the design freedom and talent to simply create custom-made, one-off items and components for these two prototype automobiles. It gave us the flexibility to completely embrace custom-made coachbuilding however with up to date processes utilizing twenty first century applied sciences,” stated host Ant Anstead.
To supply the primary two automobiles, over 500 components had been 3D-printed on the Radford Studio, automotive design and engineering agency Aria Group, and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing. Utilizing Stratasys’ GrabCAD Store™ workflow software program, the Radford crew scheduled and tracked their 3D prints throughout 5 international areas, utilizing a fleet of as much as 20 completely different Stratasys 3D printers at one time – a real demonstration of distributed manufacturing. The array of Stratasys printers included the F900®, F770™, Fortus 450mc™, F370® and J55™ 3D printers, every used to realize completely different desired outcomes for every half.
“By integrating 3D printing expertise into their store, Radford has been capable of convey 1960’s-style supercar automaking into the twenty first century with the high-end, hyper-customized type and options that their prospects count on in a automobile of this caliber,” stated Pat Carey, Senior Vice President, Strategic Progress for Stratasys. “It is an excessive instance of one thing we see daily within the auto business. Everybody making investments in new automobiles needs a deeper stage of customization and 3D printing helps make it doable.”
By using varied 3D printers and applied sciences, the crew was capable of produce components like a big strong composite firewall sandwich core, printed in two halves on the Stratasys F900 printer in ULTEM™ 1010 resin. The half was bonded collectively right into a single piece after which wrapped with carbon fiber with out using a layup device. The design of the firewall included advanced mounting options for inside audio system, a gas filler mount, and the baggage compartment. Moreover, many exterior objects like facet mirror housings, radiator ducts and physique vents had been printed in FDM® Nylon 12 Carbon Fiber and ASA supplies. Quite a few mounting brackets all through the automobile had been printed in FDM Nylon 12 CF as a consequence of many elements together with energy necessities, the aggressive venture schedule and full design freedom.
Anstead continued, “When relaunching Radford we got down to solely work with world-class firms. Lotus is a world-class firm, Radford is a world-class firm, so after we seemed to 3D-printed components, we seemed to Stratasys.”
About Radford
Supply and high picture: Stratays
