source : theverge
A quick look at the Local Motors Strati
might elicit a reaction like, "why does it look like it's made out of
Rubbermaid garbage cans?" It's a fair question — continuous tubes of
dull black plastic outline virtually every major component of this car
in places where you'd normally expect bright, shiny colors. Metal.
Chrome. Pretty stuff.
There's a good explanation, though: the Strati is basically willed
into existence by an enormous 3D printer that extrudes those lines of
plastic making up the car's frame. After that, it's refined using a CNC
milling machine, a few mechanical bits are slapped on, and boom, you
have a running car.
Local Motors is in the process of assembling a Strati
here at the North American International Auto Show, but in the
meantime, I had a chance to ride around in one of the company's older
prototypes. It's not fast, but the electric drivetrain is definitely
quiet and the car comfortably seats two — think of it as a big go-kart.
I'm not sure I'd buy one, but I'd certainly print one.
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