Local Motors
Local Motors is an American motor vehicle manufacturing company focused on low-volume manufacturing of open-source motor vehicle designs using multiple microfactories. They were founded in 2007 with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] Current products include the Rally Fighter automobile and Racer motorcycle, various electric bicycles, tricycles, and children's ride-on toy cars, as well as radio-controlled model cars and skateboards. They 3D print some components to the vehicles and toys they sell.[2] Rally Fighters have used co-creation techniques, whereby products are designed cooperatively with end users, as par of its designing phase. This technique is used by companies to enhance new product development.
Community
Local Motors' web site is a community focusing on engine vehicle innovation. The content is created by the users of the community who discuss designing, engineering and building innovative engine vehicles. Members contribute with their own ideas and projects which are discussed with the community. Due to the co-design of the vehicles with contributions from the community's worldwide members, the firm has reduced the time and cost of the development of their engine vehicles.
Strati
Local Motors in collaboration with Cincinnati Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory manufactured Strati, the world's first 3D printed electric car.[3] The printer was set up by Cincinnati Incorporated. The printing took 44 hours to complete, and was witnessed by a live audience at the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show in McCormick Place, Chicago.[4] Production was hoped for 2015.
LM3D
In 2016 the company plans to sell 3D printed cars called LM3D Swim for $35,000. The materials used are 80 percent ABS plastic and 20 percent carbon fiber. The car consists of 50 individual parts, far less than a traditional vehicle (which is manufactured with roughly 30,000 parts).[5]
See also
References
- ↑ “About Local Motors”, Local Motors Website
- ↑ “Vehicles”, Local Motors Website
- ↑ Gastelu, Gary (3 July 2014). "Local Motors 3D-printed car could lead an American manufacturing revolution". Fox News. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ↑ Franklin, Dallas (15 September 2014). "Made in Chicago: World’s First 3D Printed Electric Car". KFOR-TV. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ↑ Chhabra, Esha. "The 3D Printed Car That Could Transform The Auto Industry: On Sale In 2016". www.forbes.com. 30 December 2015.
