C.ideas Showcases the Power of Additive Manufacturing

Recently I’ve noticed a shift in a fair amount of the mainstream media coverage of additive manufacturing (AM). It appears as though people are bored with writing about the capabilities of 3D printing and the pendulum has swung to focus on the shortcomings of the technology. Words like “overhyped” and “limited” have begun to pop up with some regularity.

Obviously AM isn’t going to solve every design or manufacturing challenge, but I find such a rapid 180° turn in point of view to be somewhat disingenuous. It was with that general thought floating around in my head that I watched C.ideas' first video with delight. The video showcases how the differing AM processes can be used together to create a near-perfect replica of the 1927 Miller 91 race car.

What C.ideas has done is almost a refutation of the negative backlash against AM. You can talk all you like about how the technology isn’t ready to compete with traditional manufacturing, but when a major service bureau rolls out a 40% scale model of a classic race car that has been entirely constructed through 3D printing, the words sound rather hollow.

Situated in Crystal Lake, IL, C.ideas has a large number of AM systems at hand, including 17 of Stratasys’ Fortus FDM systems. The service bureau also has other 3D printing processes available, including SLA, SLS, and Polyjet. Even if you discount the plethora of potential material mixes that come with Polyjet, the company can print in 24 materials. None of that sounds limited to me.

The company decided to build the 40% model of the 1927 Miller 91 race car as an example of the different AM processes to draw attention and expand what most people think is possible with the technology. By combining FDM, SLA, SLS and Polyjet parts into one completed whole, C.ideas created a model that defies the stereotype that AM is only useful for small parts or clunky prototypes.

You don’t have to take my word for any of this. Below you’ll find the C.ideas video to watch for yourself. Maybe you could even forward it on to some of the doubters out there. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, after all.

Source: C.ideas