Printing a Shock
Although this shock absorber is just a demonstration device, its fabrication is rather clever as the materials company that made it, Covestro, used three different materials and three different 3D fabrication processes to make it: First, there’s the outer spring of the 40 x 7-cm part.
Although this shock absorber is just a demonstration device, its fabrication is rather clever as the materials company that made it, Covestro, used three different materials and three different 3D fabrication processes to make it:
First, there’s the outer spring of the 40 x 7-cm part. It was produced with powered thermoplastic polyurethane via the selective laser sintering process.
Then there’s the adjusting screw that, when the shock is assembled, is on the interior of the assembly. In order to perform well it needs to have both strength and hardness. Consequently, it is produced with a polycarbonate. The fused filament fabrication process was used.
Finally, there is the air chamber. It, too, is in the interior of the shock absorber. It was made with a liquid polyurethane resin with a digital light processing method.
According to Lukas Breuers, a marketing manager for 2D and 3D printing at Covestro, “This complex structure would not have been possible with conventional production processes.”
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Developments at Lincoln, Magna, Fiskar, Volvo and More
Lincoln’s plans for electric; Magna and Fisker working together; Polestar in South Carolina; the Volvo XC60 driven; VW gets deep into 3D; Porsche exec on electric; BMW and hydrogen; Staubli cell for tire sensors; and Bridgestone invests in autonomous trucking company.
-
On Audi's Paint Colors, the Lexus ES 250, and a Lambo Tractor
From pitching a startup idea to BMW to how ZF is developing and using ADAS tech to a review of the Lexus ES 250 AWD to special info about additive at Toyota R&D. And lots in between.
-
on lots of electric trucks. . .Grand Highlander. . .atomically analyzing additive. . .geometric designs. . .Dodge Hornet. . .
EVs slowdown. . .Ram’s latest in electricity. . .the Grand Highlander is. . .additive at the atomic level. . .advanced—and retro—designs. . .the Dodge Hornet. . .Rimac in reverse. . .