British luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin has used 3D printing technology in the production and design of its AM-RB 003 concept car, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2019.
AM-RB 003, formerly known as project 003, is Aston Martin’s third mid-engine hypercar, with Red Bull Advanced Technologies involved in the design and engineering of the concept vehicle. It features the use of 3D printed parts to help improve the lightweight properties of the vehicle, and has partly been designed using CAD 3D modelling software.
Combining F1 concepts and technology with the fundamental styling and aerodynamics of the Valkyrie, another mid-engine hypercar from Aston Martin, the AM-RB 003 will be limited to 500 coupes worldwide. The concept car shown at the Geneva Motor Show represents 90% of the final production model.
Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin Director of Design, stated “We were quite deliberate in AM-RB 003 to not disguise its lineage, but we were equally emphatic that it would be a distillation of Aston Martin Valkyrie and not a dilution.”
“The design isn’t as extreme in some areas, but it pushes just as hard in others, and is even taking certain ideas and concepts a step further.”
3D printing enables 50% weight loss
The AM-RB 003 concept hypercar uses different advanced design and manufacturing techniques, including ‘state-of-the-art’ 3D printing technology, in order to improve the vehicle’s lightweight properties. Specifically, Aston Martin used 3D printing to manufacture both big and small parts within the interior of the vehicle of the car. This includes the centre console, which contains 50% of the mass it would have, had it been constructed with traditional manufacturing processes.
The car maker also implemented the use of CAD 3D modelling software to create intricate parametric forms within the vehicle, sometimes “in places ‘impossible’ to make.” By doing so, Aston Martin aim to combine weight saving and visual quality with an obsessive attention to detail.
Aston Martin also installed its new twin-turbo V6 engine into the hypercar, in conjunction with a hybrid system. The engine is built around carbon fibre architecture and bodywork, helping to further increase the lightweight properties of the vehicle.
Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin, added:
“The Valkyrie is the fastest production car ever and now we’ve created [the AM-RB 003] that’s a halo car above everyone else’s range, like the P1, LaFerrari, and [McLaren] Senna.”
Leading car manufacturers adopt 3D printing
Aston Martin is the latest household name in the automotive industry to realise the benefits of 3D printing in the manufacturing of cars.
Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Lamborghini has used 3D printed components from Silicon Valley-based Carbon in the construction of its Urus Super SUVs. Approximately 1,000 Urus Super SUVs are produced each year, and these will feature two 3D printed components.
American automotive giant Ford on the other hand has opened an Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford, Detroit, where it is 3D printing parts for the upcoming Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 sports car to save costs.
Finally, BMW Group, a German multinational automotive company has introduced the BMW Individual M850i Night Sky car, which includes parts made by additive manufacturing. It features the use of 3D printed brakes calipers, side mirror caps, and air intakes.
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Featured image shows a rear view of the Aston Martin AM-RB 003 hypercar, featuring 3D printed parts. Image via Aston Martin.
