3D Printed Materials: Tesla May Use This Tech as Developed by MIT Students

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 05 October 2022, 01:10 am

A new 3D printed development was made by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and it presents a new way to cast die molds by using only a few pieces to create outstanding results. It centers on a 3D printable steel alloy that got its inspiration from Tesla's Gigafactory casting machines, a design that the EV company may also use.

3D Printed Materials for Die Casting with Only a Few Materials

(Photo : SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

MIT students Ian Chen and Kyle Markland were able to produce a 3D printable steel alloy that has many applications in the modern world, particularly for massive corporations in their tech development. According to MIT News, it has massive use for the current industries which utilize die-cast molds to stamp with only a few parts to use.

The challenge for the students and their graduate school mentor from Germany is to create a better die steel, also known as tool steel, for better use and fewer parts to utilize in the process. Additionally, the students were also able to solve this problem as printed metals are brittle and prone to cracks.

The new 3D printable steel alloy may cool faster and need only a few parts to produce the die-cast molds for casting vehicle bodies.

Tesla May Use this Tech for Future Manufacturing

According to Interesting Engineering, the new 3D printable steel alloy may be used by Tesla for its Giga casting procedure that would need fewer parts compared to what they are using at the present. Also, it helps in faster cooling for these die-cast molds, helping achieve a faster manufacturing rate and more robust products.

The MIT students already applied for a US patent for their latest development.

Tesla and its Casting Machines

Tesla is famous for the unibody design of its electric vehicles, having a bolt-on chassis for its drivetrain and batteries, with the car's body die cast from its 9,000-ton machine. It is known to be the largest in the world, and it is unique to Gigafactories present in different locations, with its focus on the mass production of electric vehicles.

The casting machine ensures that people would have their electric vehicles faster, and have more accurate details that would be the same for many variants in its lineup.

The company is making its famous EVs using its casting machines, particularly with the Model Y and the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck that would soon deliver to the world. As early as 2021, there are reports regarding the Cybertruck's production that already began with its use of the new casting machine, specifically for Giga Texas.

Now, this new development from MIT aims to help Tesla and other manufacturers more, especially those that center on casting machines to produce different structures or technology with massive applications. The 3D printable metal would ensure that manufacturers would have an ample supply with only several materials to use, also foregoing more trash or waste produced by these factories, as well as using a strong alloy for their ventures.

The technology is something applicable to Tesla and other manufacturers in the world.

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Written by Isaiah Richard