First 3D printed car body drives out of Clean Tech programme
1 min read
The first prototype car with a body created entirely using a 3D printer has been developed by KOR EcoLogic, using Autodesk digital prototyping software.
Dubbed Urbee, the car, which uses a hybrid electric/petrol engine to deliver up to 200mpg, was created using Autodesk partner Stratasys' 3D digital manufacturing service.
Jim Kor, president and CTO of KOR EcoLogic, says that the US Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program enabled his company to design, develop, visualise and test the Urbee entirely in the virtual environment.
"From concept, through rendering, Autodesk software helped us not only to build an efficient and sustainable car, but also to communicate our designs to a broader audience, including potential investors," says Kor.
The Urbee team used Autodesk Inventor software to design a 3D digital prototype of the car's body and subject it to simulated road and wind conditions, test different body designs to minimize drag and reduce overall weight.
It also used Autodesk Showcase 3D visualisation software to create photorealistic renderings of the Urbee for marketing purposes.
Kor believes that more than 80% of a product's environmental impact can be determined during the design phase – making the CAD/CAM critical.
