Official

Local Motors will 3D print an EV live in Chicago in September

We've heard of EV kit cars that can take a week (or an hour) to build, but how long do you think it would take to build an EV from scratch, using this new-fangled 3D-printing technology? If the technology from Local Motors works as advertised, it should take no more than the five days. The public will get to see for ourselves during this year's International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, IL in September. Two years ago, at the 2012 International Manufacturing Technology Show, Local Motors built its Rally Fighter (pictured) on the grounds during the six-day event.

So runs the plan, anyway, and Local Motors says it will create the "direct digital manufactured vehicle" based on the plans created by the company's "global community." Some of the advanced manufacturing techniques came from the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and once any kinks have been worked out, the plans could be fairly easily adapted to make EVs that work exactly right for local conditions.

The people involved are not afraid to hype up the possibilities of a 3D-printed. Or even overhype them. Bonnie Gurney, the director of communications for AMT, said in a prepared statement that, "Local Motors is undeniably the first disruptive entrant into the US automotive industry in decades." Tesla fans would likely disagree, but the idea of a 3D-printed car would certainly be something fresh and interesting. Scroll down for a press release.
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Local Motors Signs Contract to Deliver First 3D-Printed Electric Vehicle at IMTS 2014

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Local Motors, Inc. today announced that AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology will be the first customer for its previously announced 3D-printed production vehicle. Local Motors will build and deliver the first direct digital manufactured vehicle at IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, September 8-13, 2014. Designed by the company's global community and built using the material science and advanced manufacturing techniques available at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Local Motors will produce an electric vehicle purpose-built for the urban transportation needs of Chicago.

IMTS, the largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, is held every two years at the McCormick Place Exhibition Center in Chicago. At IMTS 2012, Local Motors built their flagship Rally Fighter from the ground up in 5 days over the course of the 6-day show. This year, AMT and Local Motors have partnered to demonstrate how sustainable green technologies, utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques that are both additive and subtractive, can deliver stronger, safer, faster, more efficient vehicles.

"IMTS is the perfect venue on which to showcase the next evolution of Local Motors' World of Vehicle Innovations," said Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers. "To deliver the first co-created, locally relevant, 3D-printed vehicle on an international stage dedicated to celebrating cutting-edge manufacturing technology is powerful reinforcement of our commitment to driving the Third Industrial Revolution."

"Local Motors is undeniably the first disruptive entrant into the U.S. automotive industry in decades," said Bonnie Gurney, Director - Communications for AMT. "The innovations they are driving in the design, manufacture and sale of vehicles has been empowering individual innovators since 2007. Partnering with them to deliver safer, more functional, lightweight and efficient vehicles via new, innovative manufacturing technologies is core to our commitment to bring global technology advancements to the local level."

The finished vehicle will be used as an example of how sustainable green technologies can reduce life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions, lower production cost, and create new products and opportunities for high paying jobs.

About Local Motors, Inc.

Local Motors co-creates vehicles and related components with a global community of designers, engineers, fabricators and enthusiasts. Local Motors has pioneered the online design and hardware co-creation market by making available low-cost professional tools, efficient small-scale manufacturing capabilities, and go-to-market strategies that empower hobbyist innovators and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) alike. Visit localmotors.com today to design, engineer and purchase your next vehicle innovation.

About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

Founded in 1902 as the National Machine Tool Builders' Association, AMT supports and promotes the U.S. manufacturing technology industry. The association provides U.S. builders of manufacturing systems with the latest information on technical developments, trade and marketing opportunities, and economic issues. It also gathers and disseminates information about world markets, promotes its members' products in those markets, and acts as a representative on manufacturing technology matters to governments and trade organizations throughout the world.AMTonline.org.

About IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show

The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States is held every other year at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. IMTS 2014 will run September 8-13. IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. Recognized as one of the world's preeminent stages for introducing and selling manufacturing equipment and technology, IMTS attracts more than 100,000 visitors from every level of industry and more than 112 countries. IMTS is owned and managed by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. IMTS.com

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