StreetScooter to feature on Stratasys stand at EuroMold 2014.
A German university has successfully developed the StreetScooter C16, an electric vehicle to rival conventional vehicles on price with realistic performance, safety and sustainability.
Founded in 2010, the StreetScooter concept was developed by the Production of Engineering of E-Mobility Components of Aachen University. Representing a new breed of car, the Short Distance Vehicle's exterior was built with additive manufacturing using a Stratasys Objet1000 Multi-material 3D Production System. Front and back panels along with bumper systems, side skirts wheel arches, lamp masks and interior components were printed in Stratasys tough Digital ABS material.
“Being able to use it in the development of large and small parts for StreetScooter was exciting in itself, but the contribution the 3D printed parts made to the construction of the car was enormous,” said Achim Kampker, Professor of Production Management in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Aachen University. “The ability to produce full-scale prototypes that perform like the final parts, accelerated testing and design verification, enabling us to bring to market a prototype electric car in just 12 months – something that is just unimaginable with traditional manufacturing.”
Funded by university professors and leading German automotive suppliers, the compact StreetScooter brought together more than 80 companies to work with Lead Engineering Groups dedicated to different areas of the project.
The university is no stranger to the benefits of 3D printing and the technology was used very early on in the project to produce accurate and functional prototypes during the design phase.
Shelly Linor, Director of Global Education at Stratasys added: “With StreetScooter, the Objet1000 3D Production System not only enabled the very rapid design and development of the vehicle, but also demonstrates the capabilities of additive manufacturing for producing final parts used in demanding applications.”
Stratasys will exhibit the StreetScooter 16 on its stand at EuroMold later this month in Frankfurt on 25th-28th Novermber.
