Strati: 3D Printed Car Printed and Built in 6 Days

The 3D Printing revolution has reached cars. Local Motors demonstrated the first 3D Printed Car and it is ready to drive.

During the six-day International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 (IMTS), Local Motors printed and assembled the a new 3D Printed car named Strati. The Strati was printed over 44 hours then rapidly assembled by a team led by Local Motors.

The first drive of the 3D Printed car took place on Saturday, September 13. Local Motors became the first company to ever 3D print, assemble and then drive an electric vehicle within 6 days.

The Strati is not the first car to be 3D printed. The Urbee, created in 2011, was the world’s first 3D printed car. The Urbee took though 2,500 hours, while the Strati was printed and assembled in just 6 days.

The Strati was 3D printed in one piece using direct digital manufacturing (DDM), which is the first time this method has been used to make a car. Mechanical components, like battery, motor, wiring, and suspension have of course not been printed. Also the motor is a 3rd party supply from Renault. The Strati uses and electric engine.

Watch the Strati’s first drive below. See more details on the Local Motors site.

The experiment shows though the future of 3D printing and how it will dramatically change many manufacturing areas. 3D printing will allow for unprecedented customization that will be extremely affordable. There will be Kinko’s like places where you can go and 3D print anything you want and in any size.