“We are fully, functionally integrating the brake caliper and upright structures, which so far is on track to deliver over 40 percent mass and part-count reduction with 25 percent stiffness increase-no compromise and no tooling required,” explains Michael Kenworthy, CTO of AM Technologies at Divergent 3D, manufacturer of the Czinger 21C. The BrakeNode and many of the 21C’s other components are manufactured using a process colloquially called 3D printing. GM whipped up the parts on the fly using 3D printing, and the SUVs got to dealerships. GM’s first production 3D-printed parts were a little more specialized. Brad Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Cup champion, has a side gig: ­Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing, an engineering company focusing on additive ­manufacturing and parts simulation. “Additive manufacturing is an engineer’s dream tool, because 3D-printing technology allows us to manufacture part geometries that were never possible before using traditional machining, brazing, and welding techniques,” says Keselowski. While KAM focuses on aerospace projects, like printing rocket-engine parts, the company has also printed parts for his No. 6 RFK Mustang GT. “Most recently we’ve manufactured a power-­steering reservoir with enhanced design and found improved performance at a lighter weight,” he says. We reduced the lead-time development by leveraging rapid iteration for the reservoir design and testing.”These outcomes are truly stunning,” Keselowski says, “and it’s deeply inspiring to be a part of today’s American manufacturing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

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