Pheonix, Arizona-based Local Motors disclosed significant details about the expected launch of their first 3D printed, highway-ready consumer vehicle, the LM3D Swim. If the LM3D Swim ends up as a four-wheeler on the road that is approved by the authorities by then, it might prove to be a catalyst in changing the way cars roll off production lines. Thermoplastic materials for the LM3D Swim’s body were provided by SABIC.
Advertisement
The technology firm plans to unveil several LM3D series models over the next year, while at the same time pursuing federal crash testing and highway certifications. This four seater ride is certainly a beauty to look at, and you can be sure that it will turn heads when you cruise down the road. While different formulations and blends are being tested regularly for use in Local Motors’ cars, right now they note that their blend for additive manufacturing is 80% ABS plastic and 20% carbon fiber material. Retail options will also be available later in the year, however at about the same cost as a mid-range luxury vehicle, $53,000 is a very attractive starting price.
According to a statement from the company, “the LM3D Swim was designed by Kevin Lo, a Local Motors community member who won the company’s Project Redacted challenge in July”. So far, they own a micro-factory in Las Vegas and headquarters in Phoenix.
Advertisement
The existing prototype of the Swim is running on the same powertrain used in the BMW i3 and it’s expected that the final production auto will stick with it. Unlike the i3, the Swim will run exclusively off electricity as a gas tank and other corresponding parts would add too much complexity to the vehicles 3D printing processes. In addition, they hope to open 100 new locations throughout the next 10 years. As things now stands, the company will be able to produce 2,400 units per year. Another example is a printed version of its Strati model, a vehicle built by using an electric power sourced from a Renault Twizy and they only had to assemble 40 parts of it. The Strati was printed in nearly 44 hours at the 2014 worldwide Technology Show in Chicago and this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Their broad experience printing cars includes the successful Rally Fighter, which is a crowd-sourced off-road vehicle.
