Here at 3D Rapid Print, one of the fastest growing 3D Printing companies in the Thames Valley, we like to keep abreast of the latest innovations in 3D printing.
On November 19th 2021, George Mason University (Mason) of Fairfax County, Virginia spoke of its Hypernova One car, whose creators believe that it will be the world’s first 3D printed solar powered car when finished. The team hopes to compete in the American Solar Challenge, which would involve racing circa 2,000 miles (3,219km) across the country against other university teams. Their next goal is to race in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, which would entail racing circa 3,000km (1,864 miles) through the Australian outback. In September 2021, Uniformity Labs of Fremont, California announced that it had 3D printed a roll-cage designed for a solar powered race car that would also be competing in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
The Hypernova Solar project was founded in 2019 and today has 50 members including Mason freshmen and seniors, as well as a few students from Northern Virginia Community College and local secondary schools. The team intend to have Hypernova One be a proof-of-concept car to serve as inspiration for building a second, improved car for competition. In addition, they are developing their own 3D printer that can print onto a conveyor belt at a 45-degree angle to enable them to print along an unlimited axis.
Other examples of 3D printing’s involvement with solar powered cars include DiManEx of Utrecht, the Netherlands. In July 2019, it announced a collaboration with Lightyear of Helmond, who are the producers of what DiManEx proclaimed as “the world’s first long-range solar car.” (Helmond is also in the Netherlands.) Unveiled in June 2019, The Lightyear One was a 5-passenger prototype car that DiManEx boasted was furnished with more than 60 3D printed parts made via DiManEx’s digital supply platform. As of December 2021, Lightyear aims to start production on its first units somewhen in 2022. The concept of 3D printed solar powered cars traces back at least as far as February 2015, where the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore unveiled a solar powered car with a 3D printed body shell comprising 150 different parts.
3D printing is an amazing tool. It can grow your small business or start a mini revolution in an industry. Explore what it can do for you when you contact us today.
Disclaimer: Featured image of “Flickr – Official U.S. Navy Imagery – Sailors examine a solar-powered car.” is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain in the United States.
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