Full chassis of the Blade Supercar 3-D printed by Divergent 3D. Metal NODES, printed on the quad laser SLM 500, act as joints and are assembled with carbon fiber structural materials that result in an industrial strength chassis.
The Blade 3D Printed Supercar from Divergent 3D. The SLM 500 from SLM Solutions was used to print the metal joints of the chassis.
Divergent 3D has entered into a Strategic Development Partnership with SLM Solutions Group, a 3-D metal printing equipment manufacturer.
"Divergent 3D has invented a patented software-hardware platform enabled by 3-D metal printing that transforms the economics and environmental impact of designing and manufacturing complex structures such as cars," said a company spokesperson. "SLM Solutions Group will work closely with Divergent to develop specific hardware and software that will enable scaling of the patented Divergent Manufacturing Platform to high-volume production of vehicle structures."
Additive manufacturing (AM) has been used in the auto industry for small-scale pilot programs focused on developing individual 3-D printed components for production. "Divergent 3D and SLM Solutions, in contrast, are partnering to transform the process of designing and manufacturing overall vehicle structures," said the spokesperson. "The objective is to build lighter, structurally safe, more cost-efficient and environmentally responsible automobiles. To see an example of the structure and assembly of a vehicle using the Divergent Manufacturing Platform go to youtu.be/zXG17_RcrZQ."
Hans-Joachim Ihde, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Founder of SLM Solutions Group, stated: "We are very impressed by the rapid development and implementation of Divergent 3D's technology in the automotive sector. By working together with Divergent, we can help to provide manufacturers with the tools to build more profitable, innovative and environmentally sustainable vehicles while dramatically reducing manufacturing capital cost and providing almost unlimited design flexibility."
Kevin Czinger, Founder and CEO of Divergent 3D, added: "SLM Solutions Group is a powerful, long-term strategic partner for Divergent 3D, working with us to provide 3-D metal printing hardware and software specific to the Divergent Manufacturing Platform. We believe that this will transform the way vehicle structures are designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled."
SLM Solutions has been an essential partner to Divergent in the development of its Blade 3D Printed Supercar. "By utilizing the quad laser SLM 500 selective laser melting system, Divergent 3D developed metal NODE to create the world's first 3-D printed supercar," said the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
SLM Solutions NA, Inc.
48561 Alpha Drive, Suite 300
Wixom, MI 48393
248-243-5400
info@slm-solutions.us
www.slm-solutions.us
Divergent 3D
www.divergent3d.com