Comments on: Gran Turismo concept car built and run with help from 3D printer http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 04:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025820 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025820 What material did iMaterialize use? What material did iMaterialize use?

]]> By: IamInnocent http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025324 IamInnocent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025324 200 km/h isn't that fast. Was it designed with any racing qualities or just for looks, more likely ? 200 km/h isn’t that fast. Was it designed with any racing qualities or just for looks, more likely ?

]]> By: RikF http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025590 RikF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025590 Similar visual effect, but a different design http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_doors Similar visual effect, but a different design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_doors

]]> By: RikF http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025591 RikF Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025591 You do realise that a lot of concept cars don't get above about 10mph, if they move at all? This isn't a production design that's being tested, it's a one-off designed to market the brand. You do realise that a lot of concept cars don’t get above about 10mph, if they move at all? This isn’t a production design that’s being tested, it’s a one-off designed to market the brand.

]]> By: Muse http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025599 Muse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025599 The story makes it sound like the majority of the car was 3D printed. That is not the case. This is not different than most modern concept cars which use a combination of 3D printing, CNC and a whole bunch of spectacularly skilled designers, engineers and craftsmen to fabricate one of a kind vehicles. Stereolithography is not a new technology, although I haven't seen pieces quite as big as used in this car. The 3D printed parts were all used on the interior of the car (not shown in the video) and it must have taken a ton of hand finishing to make them show car ready. We are still a long way off from simply being able to hit a "print" button and have an entire, running vehicle emerge. The only car I have heard of that claims to have an entirely 3D printed body is the underwhelming looking <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1698943/the-urbee-hybrid-the-first-car-to-have-its-body-3-d-printed">Urbee Hybrid</a>, but I can't find any construction images, so it probably still needed hours of sanding and cleanup before it was smooth enough to paint. If people knew how much labor, skill and artistry it takes to execute a typical concept car, they would be shocked. The story makes it sound like the majority of the car was 3D printed. That is not the case. This is not different than most modern concept cars which use a combination of 3D printing, CNC and a whole bunch of spectacularly skilled designers, engineers and craftsmen to fabricate one of a kind vehicles.

Stereolithography is not a new technology, although I haven’t seen pieces quite as big as used in this car. The 3D printed parts were all used on the interior of the car (not shown in the video) and it must have taken a ton of hand finishing to make them show car ready. We are still a long way off from simply being able to hit a “print” button and have an entire, running vehicle emerge. The only car I have heard of that claims to have an entirely 3D printed body is the underwhelming looking Urbee Hybrid, but I can’t find any construction images, so it probably still needed hours of sanding and cleanup before it was smooth enough to paint.

If people knew how much labor, skill and artistry it takes to execute a typical concept car, they would be shocked.

]]> By: Methusedalot http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025345 Methusedalot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025345 If it was designed for looks it is a failure. That is one ugly car. If it was designed for looks it is a failure. That is one ugly car.

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025601 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025601 Iirc, its by design. Hell, i recall reading that in certain parts of the world they want cars that are intimidating on the outside (almost like a tank) while very comfortable on the inside (i think womb-like was referenced). Also, i think sound have a very big influence on driving behavior. Put a big rumble in the engine and people will drive more aggressively. Modern car design is very much psychology, but then again everything is in the hunt for that extra percentage of sales. Iirc, its by design. Hell, i recall reading that in certain parts of the world they want cars that are intimidating on the outside (almost like a tank) while very comfortable on the inside (i think womb-like was referenced).

Also, i think sound have a very big influence on driving behavior. Put a big rumble in the engine and people will drive more aggressively.

Modern car design is very much psychology, but then again everything is in the hunt for that extra percentage of sales.

]]> By: lazyopportunist http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1026116 lazyopportunist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1026116 Your observation is profound! Only a furrowed-brow, highly stressed executive could afford such a status-symbol. Your observation is profound!
Only a furrowed-brow, highly stressed executive could afford such a status-symbol.

]]> By: shashi2005 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025362 shashi2005 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025362 Modern vehicles seem to scowl. Old cars had happy faces on them. The Morris minor, the Cortina or Singer Vogue and VW Beetle were *happy* looking cars. Modern vehicles seem to scowl.

Old cars had happy faces on them. The Morris minor, the Cortina or Singer Vogue and VW Beetle were *happy* looking cars.

]]> By: Chentzilla http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025371 Chentzilla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025371 You probably should mention that it happened back in 2008. You probably should mention that it happened back in 2008.

]]> By: Muse http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025892 Muse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025892 iMaterialize used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography">stereolithograpy</a> to print the parts. That means that the parts are resin. Looking at the photos in the <a href="http://i.materialise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mammoth03.jpg">article</a> and comparing them to the finished car, they are copper in the <a href="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/3863/Citroen-GT-Concept_11.jpg">final photos</a>. My guess is that the printed parts needed lots of hand sanding and then were just used to make molds, then laid up in fiberglass or carbon fiber and finally plated with copper. iMaterialize used stereolithograpy to print the parts. That means that the parts are resin. Looking at the photos in the article and comparing them to the finished car, they are copper in the final photos. My guess is that the printed parts needed lots of hand sanding and then were just used to make molds, then laid up in fiberglass or carbon fiber and finally plated with copper.

]]> By: Jean-Luc Turbo http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025395 Jean-Luc Turbo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025395 I have to admit that the design so appeals to my inner 13 year old...and I'm not normally into mid-life crisis cars or ones that are designed to compensate for a poor endowment from God, if you will... I have to admit that the design so appeals to my inner 13 year old…and I’m not normally into mid-life crisis cars or ones that are designed to compensate for a poor endowment from God, if you will…

]]> By: drukqs http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025418 drukqs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025418 Obligatory: a car + a 2 minute video of enthralled men snapping photos + the "Goodwood" Festival of Speed. Obligatory: a car + a 2 minute video of enthralled men snapping photos + the “Goodwood” Festival of Speed.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025683 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025683 "You wouldn't download a car, would you?" You bet your ass I would. “You wouldn’t download a car, would you?”

You bet your ass I would.

]]> By: Muse http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025684 Muse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025684 Yes it is intentional. Is anyone really surprised that a vehicle designed to be in a racing game looks aggressive? In general, modern sports cars skew towards the "angry face," but that is in direct response to customer demands. Almost without exception, sports cars that are initially designed with neutral or sad faces get "angrier" in later iterations. For example, the <a href="http://www.seriouswheels.com/abc/Audi-TT-Coupe-Front-Angle-1280x960.htm">Audi TT</a> originally had headlights that could be interpreted as neutral or even a bit sad. The <a href="http://www.seriouswheels.com/2011/a/2011-Audi-TT-Coupe-Front-Angle-Speed-1280x960.htm">New TT</a> has distinctly angry looking headlights. Yes it is intentional. Is anyone really surprised that a vehicle designed to be in a racing game looks aggressive?

In general, modern sports cars skew towards the “angry face,” but that is in direct response to customer demands. Almost without exception, sports cars that are initially designed with neutral or sad faces get “angrier” in later iterations.

For example, the Audi TT originally had headlights that could be interpreted as neutral or even a bit sad.

The New TT has distinctly angry looking headlights.

]]> By: krispyD http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025441 krispyD Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025441 Butterfly doors? is the common vernacular not Gull-wing? or is that an American thing? Butterfly doors? is the common vernacular not Gull-wing? or is that an American thing?

]]> By: racerabbit http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025446 racerabbit Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025446 Not going to lie, the design made my jeans feel tighter! Also, that exhaust note? Pure sexyfuntimes. Not going to lie, the design made my jeans feel tighter! Also, that exhaust note? Pure sexyfuntimes.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025447 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025447 You are all boring old men, I WANT!!!!! If I can find 6 other people to help me rob some banks we can buy this car and have it for one day each per week. Who cares if it's 'slow' or odd looking, it's a car from a video game brought to life. You are all boring old men, I WANT!!!!!
If I can find 6 other people to help me rob some banks we can buy this car and have it for one day each per week.
Who cares if it’s ‘slow’ or odd looking, it’s a car from a video game brought to life.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025452 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025452 They did a great job replicating the video game model. I do wonder exactly how long it took to do all that, from the project's beginning to the finished car. Even if you don't like the car itself, at least consider the gigantic amount of man-hours required to do something like this. There are no machines where you can just lay there and lazily press a button to attach the fenders or weld the frame. People had to manually do all of that stuff, and they had no precedent from which to work. They had to engineer everything. So, yeah. I'm impressed. It's a pretty car, too. They did a great job replicating the video game model. I do wonder exactly how long it took to do all that, from the project’s beginning to the finished car.

Even if you don’t like the car itself, at least consider the gigantic amount of man-hours required to do something like this. There are no machines where you can just lay there and lazily press a button to attach the fenders or weld the frame. People had to manually do all of that stuff, and they had no precedent from which to work. They had to engineer everything.

So, yeah. I’m impressed. It’s a pretty car, too.

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025971 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025971 Puts some "new" context on the use of big cat names for the various OSX releases... Puts some “new” context on the use of big cat names for the various OSX releases…

]]> By: empathy44 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1025471 empathy44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1025471 They do tend to look like they are angry--or angry cat's of prey faces. Although, I've noticed that from the back they often look happier...or like beavers (because of the license plate). They do tend to look like they are angry–or angry cat’s of prey faces. Although, I’ve noticed that from the back they often look happier…or like beavers (because of the license plate).

]]> By: codesuidae http://boingboing.net/2011/02/12/gran-turismo-concept.html#comment-1026774 codesuidae Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1026774 Surface finish of 3D printed parts varies. Some are sufficiently smooth to be easily metalized to a mirror finish. Surface finish of 3D printed parts varies. Some are sufficiently smooth to be easily metalized to a mirror finish.

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