The Divergent Blade is a two-door sports car prototype manufactured by Divergent Technologies, and designed by Kevin Czinger. The Blade is the first automobile to use 3D printing to form the body and chassis.
| Divergent Blade | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Divergent Technologies |
| Production | TBA |
| Assembly | Gardena, California |
| Designer | Kevin Czinger |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | MR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.4 L 4B11T turbocharged I4 (Evo-derived, AMS-modified) |
| Power output | 720 hp (537 kW; 730 PS) |
| Transmission | 7-speed Hewland sequential |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 630 kg (1,389 lb) |
The Blade ended up being the backbone of the eventual production car dubbed the Czinger 21C.
Usage of 3D printing
editThe use of 3D construction further reduces the expense of building factories and pollution from them, with a more compact and cheaper process.[1] This also can lower capital investment and production costs.[2]
Vehicle data
editThe car contains a 2.4-liter 4B11T turbocharged inline-four derived from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. The engine has been modified by American tuning house AMS, which meant bore and stroke was increased by 400cc, increasing the liters to 2.4. The modifications have increased to 720 hp (537 kW; 730 PS).[3] The horsepower and weight create a power-to-weight ratio of 1,142.8 hp (852 kW; 1,159 PS) per ton.[4] 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) is a reported 2.2 seconds.[5]
The car uses a 3D printed aluminum alloy material for the chassis and body.[3] For the chassis, 3D printed structural joints (in which Divergent calls NODES) are used to construct the basis of the interior, which is then completed by metal parts made by computer algorithm.[6] Because of the use of a 3D printed aluminum material, the overall weight is drastically reduced, sitting at 630 kg (1,389 lb). The chassis weighs 46 kg (101 lb).[4] The car's design is bobsled-like, allowing for better weight distribution. The remaining areas would be filled by aerodynamic features and safety parts.
The 3D construction makes the car de-materialized, making the car greener (less resource use and pollution made by manufacturing), lighter (up to 90% lighter than traditional vehicles with more strength and durability), safer (a strong and light car causes less wear and fewer fatalities), and made local (cars built by smaller local groups lowers costs, time, and increase quality).[7]
References
edit- ^ Divergent3D (2016-11-23), Divergent 3D Company Narrative, retrieved 2017-07-12
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Korosec, Kirsten. "This 3D Printing Startup Raises $23 Million to Disrupt How Cars Are Made". Fortune. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ a b Jay Leno's Garage (2017-06-26), 2015 Divergent Blade - Jay Leno's Garage, retrieved 2017-07-12
- ^ a b "World's first 3D-printed supercar aimed at shaking up the auto industry". newatlas.com. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ "World's First 3D Printed Supercar is Unveiled – 0-60 in 2.2 Seconds, 700 HP Motor – Built from Unique Node System | 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing". 3dprint.com. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
- ^ Divergent3D (2017-03-17), Divergent 3D Chassis Assembly Video, retrieved 2017-07-12
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Divergent Blade : 2016 | Cartype". cartype.com. Retrieved 2017-07-12.