Cheap Fab. - Low Production

[gtc]

I think the release of new optimization tools and decreasing cost of DMLS has the potential to give us some pretty cool stuff for classic cars. Our steel a-arms and cast aluminum trailing arms seem like a natural place to start. Other cars with extensive subframes and engine carriers might see more benefit.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Won

CF for road car wheels is pretty much a gimmick. Very little actual benefit vs. AL or MG, maybe you get more street cred. One of my previous companies (composites) did a study and prototype runs together with a well-known German wheel company whose name has three letters. End result: by the time the wheel met all the OEM requirements, there was hardly any weight savings. The only point they could sell it on was exclusivity.

Here is some info on commercially available printed metallic materials:
https://www.stratasysdirect.com/-/media/files/direct/material-datasheets/direct-metal-laser-sintering/dmls_titanium_ti-ti64_material_specifications.pdf
https://www.stratasysdirect.com/technologies/direct-metal-laser-sintering

Thx Won - but now I'm confused. Why is the wheel so different from a unit body (monocoque)?

CF unit bodies are stronger yet lighter than Al ones aren't they?

But CF wheels are no stronger? Or not lighter?