A
U.S. startup company called Divergent Microfactories has printed
the prototype of “Blade,” the world’s first supercar created with
3D printing technology. The car may inspire automakers around the
globe to adopt this innovative method, and also bring considerable
changes to the car manufacturing industry.
Blade is equipped with a 700-horsepower, bi-fuel engine that helps
the 3D-printed car reach the speed of 96km/h in less than two seconds.
Either natural gas or regular gasoline powers the car. Its engine
also features one-third of the engine displacement of an electric
car. The company connected the 3D-printed chassis with carbon-fiber
tubes to make the car’s body. So, it is about 50 times cheaper to
produce than a regular car. In addition, the car’s lighter weight
- around 635kg - results in quicker acceleration and improved handling
over that of regular cars, which usually weigh more than 1,500kg.
Many experts agree that, following the inventions of the steam engine
and rotary printing press, 3D-printing technology marks the starting
point of a third Industrial Revolution. This technology has enabled
people to print bicycles, drones, artificial legs for animals, and
even artificial human organs. It is helping people turn their imagination
into reality. The new technology may sweep the world soon, just
like the Internet.