From a whimsical LEGO-inspired motorcycle to an aerodynamic 3D-printed hypercar, the latest vehicles to hit the road reflect a new era of possibilities in auto design.
Recently, animatronic control systems expert Matt Denton introduced his YouTube audience to his 3D printed motorbike, a replica of the LEGO 8810 Cafe Racer, with pieces sized to scale and created strong enough to ride. Using CAD software, Denton created colorful replica kit pieces in a virtual environment to ensure that every piece fit together before printing the parts. He also improvised with a few essential pieces, including a battery to power the ride. The result is a functional Monkey Bike that accelerates to 10 mph. “It’s not the most comfortable, but it works,” Denton says of his creation.
Elsewhere on the (real) road, the American company Czinger and its 21C hypercar is making headlines for the company’s design and manufacturing platform, which integrates AI, advanced material science, and 3D printing that allows the business to streamline design to create lighter, more aerodynamic vehicles. The process produces as few materials as possible and could provide inspiration to help mass market automakers become more sustainable one day, TIME reports. While the design is among the most innovative auto creations on the road, it comes at a steep price: $2 million.
The Standards Behind the Auto Parts
3D printing, which has helped revolutionize a number of industries, refers to the transformation of a digital CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file into a three-dimensional physical solid object or part. The process involves depositing materials, layer by layer, in precise geometric shapes using a printhead, nozzle, or other printing technology.
A number of standards support the evolution of the 3D printing industry, including ISO/ASTM 52915:2020, Specification for additive manufacturing file format (AMF) Version 1.2, which provides the specification for the Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF), an interchange format to address the current and future needs of additive manufacturing technology. The standard was developed by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 261, Additive manufacturing, in cooperation with ANSI member ASTM International’s committee ASTM F 42.91, Terminology.
Another standard developed by ANSI member the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME Y14.2-2014 (R2020), Line Conventions and Lettering, establishes the line and lettering practices for use in the preparation of engineering drawings, including the recognition of the requirements for CAD and manual preparation for their reduction and reproduction.
Did you know? While Denton’s motorbike creation was inspired by LEGOs and not constructed with the authentic pieces, all LEGO toys are in conformity with the relevant legislation and standards with amendments, as applicable, including the ASTM International standards ASTM F963, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, and ASTM F 2923-20, Standard Specification for Consumer Product Safety for Children’s Jewelry.
ANSI Continues to Support Progress in Additive Manufacturing
The America Makes & ANSI Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC), in its eighth year, is a cross-sector coordinating body whose objective is to accelerate the development of industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications consistent with stakeholder needs to facilitate the growth of the additive manufacturing industry. The AMSC does not develop standards or specifications; rather, it helps drive coordinated standards development activity.
In September 2024, the collaborative published a Gaps Progress Report tracking efforts over the last six months by standards developing organizations and others to address the gaps identified in the Standardization Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, Version 3.0. The progress report provides updates on standards, research, and conformity assessment activities; it also captures suggested modifications to existing gaps and notes additional gaps to be considered for future roadmaps.
Based on the latest news, 3D printing technology continues to accelerate the automotive industry's transformation—and spark interest about what’s next for the roadways.
Related News: