Local Motors launches 3D printed car contest

Phoenix, Ariz. – Local Motors Inc. is launching a design contest tied to its plans to build a 3D-printed car at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September.

The 3D Printed Car Design Challenge runs through May 13, 2014, and will award more than $10,000 in prizes to winning entries which will be announced on May 30.

“Historically, producing a new vehicle from a new design has represented a significant investment in tooling and a large commitment in time to integrate multiple structures and components,” says Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers. “This effort to design and deliver the first co-created vehicle using this digital technology and manufacturing process could change the process and speed in which vehicles are designed and built.”

Launched two months after Local Motors announced partnerships with the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT), the design challenge will seek to define innovations in the methodology associated with incorporating additive and subtractive manufacturing methods in vehicle design and development. Local Motors has chosen to power the vehicle with a battery electric drive system.

“AMT is always on the lookout for the newest, innovative technology. The design of this Local Motors vehicle is no exception. I look forward to seeing how the team incorporates the latest advancements,” says Paul Warndorf, Vice President – Manufacturing Technology, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

This effort will also include the engagement of ORNL partner Cincinnati Inc. and their Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) machine. This BAAM machine pioneers the use of large-scale 3D printing technology.

“This vehicle may well be the coolest vehicle on the planet, at least to those of us in manufacturing technology,” says Rick Neff, manager market development for Cincinnati Inc.

In order to enter the challenge, designers are required to submit three distinct views of their project (side, 3/4 front and 3/4 rear), one mise-en-scene view, and a description of the benefits and innovations associated with the concept.

Submissions will be voted on by the Local Motors community on localmotors.com, and judged by an independent panel of experts led by Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot and a Local Motors board member. In addition to Pettis and representation from Local Motors and ORNL, the panel includes:

• Rick Neff, Manager, market Development, Cincinnati Inc.
• Douglas K. Woods, president, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
• Peter Eelman, vice president – Exhibitions and Communications, AMT– The Association For Manufacturing Technology
• Paul Warndorf, vice president – Manufacturing Technology, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

One challenge submission will be selected as the overall winner. The winning designer will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize plus a trip to IMTS to participate in the printing of the first vehicle. Up to five “Innovation Awards” winners will receive cash prizes of $1,000 each for exceptional ideas or usages specific to the 3D-printing process. One award for “Community Favorite,” based on voting by the Local Motors Community, will also be awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

Eelman comments, “The very spirit of the Emerging Technologies Center (ETC) since it debuted in 2004 as a focal point on the show floor has been to give the manufacturing community a look into the future. Local Motors makes it their business to be that future and we are thrilled to put them center stage at IMTS. I’m glad to have the opportunity to get involved early in the judging of the 3D printed car designs.”

Source: Local Motors