Why 3D printing may be the new wave for the automotive technology

Just ask Jay Leno with his exciting new “Divergent Blade” ride!

Cars seriously are making tons of tech waves by the thousands, no doubt. This story’s no exception and one that blows the minds out of skulls with wonder. Ever heard of 3D printing? Oh, yes. Did you know that such a technology can actually manufacture a real-life vehicle? A car? An actual moving car? NO WAY.

Yes, way, and Jay Leno is the proof of that with his new divergent Blade

Don’t be looking for this new revolutionary tech to hit very soon unless you’re the likes of the former Tonight Show host. You may already know that Jay Leno is a car freak comparable to how Hugh Hefner loves his naked Playboy Bunnies. Visit Leno’s garage, and it’s an auto orgy of massive proportions.

Such is the case for his new ride, the recent 2015 Divergent 3D printed vehicle, the Blade. Arguably Leno’s the only one to have one for good reason. 3D printing is simply a technological advancement, and in no way is Divergent 3D, the company behind this technology, jumping headfirst into the auto industry. But if automakers like Ford, GMC, or Chrysler want in on this incredible technology, not only could it mean big bucks for them, but lower prices for us!

What Divergent 3D is looking to do is license their tech to all the major automakers for good reason — it’s efficient, it’s cost-effective, it’s more reliable. The way it works is that the 3D printing technology develops all the working parts first, which are then reinforced with carbon fiber elements. Instead of an entire unibody structure manufactured at a plant, this thing can be created within a day via 3D-printed tongue and grooves and vacuum sealing and bonding methodology.

The result is massively fast production. We’re talking literally within minutes. Once the components have been printed via 3D technology, the structure itself is then utilized for any type of external body, for any kind of vehicle — even motorcycles. Aluminum is utilized, titanium is implemented for rigidity, and carbon fiber keeps the entire structure stiff on the road.

You basically get a car — without a ton of people having to build the entire thing over a few days. This thing could be built in just one day — by just one person. For the auto industry, we’re talking groundbreaking, nay, ground-shattering.

And don’t even get started on the potential price for these 3D-printed vehicles

Because of its efficiency build, you’re possibly looking at one heck of a price cut. The economy will shift drastically, though, something everyone will have to adjust to, but overall consumers win — and over time, so will automakers. Only time will tell to see how this will evolve, but it’s still quite a long way off. One thing’s for sure: Jay Leno is getting to relish in the fact that he has a supercar like the Blade in his garage!