3D Printers Can Make Car Parts

3D printing has come a long way over the years, with many people treating it as a miracle technology that can create anything. That may be an exaggeration of what the technology is capable of, but there is no denying that it can be used for amazing things. 3D printers have been used to create everything from replacement machine parts to custom-made prostheses, and now some companies are using 3D printing to fabricate replacement car parts.

The Benefits of "Printing" Car Parts
There are some obvious benefits to using 3D printing to create replacement car parts, the most obvious of which is that can eliminate the need to hunt down rare automobile parts. Anybody who has ever tried to restore a classic car or even just repair their old vehicle knows how hard it is to find the right parts for a particular job. Some have to search high and low to find what they are looking for, and when they find it they sometimes have to pay an astronomical price due to its rarity. Theoretically, a 3D printer can fabricate these parts easily as long as their specifications are programmed into the printer. It may not be ideal for those who want authentic classic parts, but it could be enough to keep an older vehicle on the road.

3D printing can also allow manufacturers and designers to create prototypes of new engines and other parts. Using a 3D printer to create these prototypes to see how they would function is considerably cheaper and easier than building a new engine from scratch only to find that it needs to be redesigined. The printed prototype doesn't have to be used in a vehicle; the fact that it can be an inexpensive means of testing out a theoretical device is often enough for manufacturers.

The only real disadvantage to using 3D printing for car parts is that the resins that are used in the printing process may not be tough enough for certain applications. 3D printing can yield some durable results, but they may not always be able to hold up to high stress and heat. There may come a time when 3D printing can create something that is better than traditional automobile parts and equipment, but until then, anything that is fabricated should be used wisely and with caution.

Allison Can You Explain What i3 Is?

The modern, sleek design of the BMW i3 has everyone talking. What is it about this revolutionary car that stands out from the others on the market? The BMW i3 has a carbon-fiber/aluminum structure, allowing the vehicle to go from zero to 60mph in under 7 seconds. Here is the real kicker, the car averages 81 miles per charge, and it has a small gas tank allowing the car to run an extra 150 miles if you run out of battery power.  The BMW i3 is the future of cars as it will drastically reduce emissions, contributing to cleaner air, and reducing the risk of global warming.

How the i3 is Different
BMW is known for producing sporty sedans, so to see a smaller car that is energy efficient with an awkward design is unusual from this massive car manufacturer. The top speed of the BMW i3 tops out at 56 mph. The interior has a climate-controlled system, only blowing unconditioned air from the outside.

Responsive Braking System and Engine
BMW found that drivers rely on the engine brakes 75% of the time when they are driving. They found a way to use the braking to their advantage to recharge the engine, and limit the size of the engine. Some people call the i3 the “little engine that could” as it comes in at 3-cylinders, but is still powerful enough to take you over 300 miles. The confusion with the i3 lies in the way you drive it. When you pull your foot off the accelerator, the engine will initiate a regenerative braking scheme that begins converting kinetic energy into electricity. You don’t even need to brake with the i3 once you figure out the responsive deceleration system. It doesn’t slow abruptly, but it will slow the car to a complete stop. The regenerative braking system is a step forward in progressive car design. In as little as 160 feet, the car can come to a complete stop even if it starts at 70 mph all thanks to the responsive braking system.

Construction
The BMW i3 is built in factories that are powered by wind. Using electric energy to run, the i3 is near-silent when it drives. The large glass windows bring sunlight into the car, giving the driver a feeling they are part of the environment instead of closed off from it inside a car.

Do you know the difference between summer tires, all season tires, and winter tires?

When it comes to buying a tires for your vehicle, the large selection of tires can be confusing. What is the difference between summer tires, all-season tires, and winter tires? Use this guide to help you choose the right tires for your needs.

Summer Tires

The summer tires are beneficial when you are dealing with dry roads. Summer tires are built for agility and speed. Summer tires usually have shallow tread depth as they are designed for speed. Despite what a lot of people believe, summer tires actually provide great traction in rain storms. Winter driving requires an upgrade to all-season tires or winter tires.

All Season Tires

The majority of car owners will opt for all-season tires. An all-season tire is set to handle all types of weather from rain to snow. Most people feel the all-season tires are designed to handle rain better than summer tires, but this is not true. The summer tires do a great job gripping a road, even in the rain. With the all-season tires, the main grip ability is for the snow. All season doesn’t mean a tire is set to have great performance for all weather patterns. The all-season tires prevent you from needing to change your tires in the spring and the fall. If you live in an area without a great deal of snow, consider a lower rated all-season tire.

Winter Tires

The winter tire is designed to provide plenty of grip during a snow storm. In deep water at high speeds, the tire need to stay in contact with the pavement. The tread pattern of the tire will provide the gripping ability a car needs to stay stuck to the road. Compare customer ratings of the tires to ensure they will be able to give adequate grip during a snowstorm.

Choosing a Tire

Summer tires are not adequate to handle snow, but they can handle rain for the most part. The problem is ice. A tire needs to have a soft, grippy tread to provide the ability to grip the road. If the car is slipping often in the snow, it is important to change to winter tires. Review the original manufacturer’s tires to find out what tires they recommend for the vehicle.