Automotive

Nissan Qashqai drawn into existence with 3D-printing pens

Nissan Qashqai drawn into existence with 3D-printing pens
The sculpture is a full-size rendering of the Qashqai Black Edition, measuring 4.4-m (14.4-ft) long and 1.6-m (5.2-ft) tall
The sculpture is a full-size rendering of the Qashqai Black Edition, measuring 4.4-m (14.4-ft) long and 1.6-m (5.2-ft) tall
View 16 Images
The sculpture is a full-size rendering of the Qashqai Black Edition, measuring 4.4-m (14.4-ft) long and 1.6-m (5.2-ft) tall
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The sculpture is a full-size rendering of the Qashqai Black Edition, measuring 4.4-m (14.4-ft) long and 1.6-m (5.2-ft) tall
The model comprises 13.8 km (8.6 mi) of plastic strands
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The model comprises 13.8 km (8.6 mi) of plastic strands
The sculpture took 800 hours to complete over a three-week period
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The sculpture took 800 hours to complete over a three-week period
The car was "drawn" by a team of artists using 3Doodler 3D pens
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The car was "drawn" by a team of artists using 3Doodler 3D pens
Artist Grace Du Prez, who led the project, says it was the most ambitious 3Doodler commission she has worked on
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Artist Grace Du Prez, who led the project, says it was the most ambitious  3Doodler commission she has worked on
Du Prez says the project shows how far 3D printing technology has come
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Du Prez says the project shows how far 3D printing technology has come
Nissan says the 3D-printed pen sculpture is the world's biggest
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Nissan says the 3D-printed pen sculpture is the world's biggest
3Doodler artist Niki Firmin and Karsan Haval from Kingston University also worked on the project
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3Doodler artist Niki Firmin and Karsan Haval from Kingston University also worked on the project
The sculpture was created to celebrate the launch of the Qashqai Black Edition
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The sculpture was created to celebrate the launch of the Qashqai Black Edition
3Doodler pens heat solid plastic up to as much as 230° C (446° F)
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3Doodler pens heat solid plastic up to as much as 230° C (446° F)
The heated plastic is extruded it through a nozzle with a 0.7-mm (0.03-in) wide tip
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The heated plastic is extruded it through a nozzle with a 0.7-mm (0.03-in) wide tip
The Black Edition is a limited edition version of the Qashqai
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The Black Edition is a limited edition version of the Qashqai
Only 3,360 units of the Qashqai Black Edition will be released across Europe
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Only 3,360 units of the Qashqai Black Edition will be released across Europe
The Black Edition will feature special front and rear silver styling plates
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The Black Edition will feature special front and rear silver styling plates
The Black Edition will have 19-in black alloy wheels
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The Black Edition will have 19-in black alloy wheels
The car will have signature Black Edition door sills
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The car will have signature Black Edition door sills
View gallery - 16 images

Nissan has created what it claims to be the world's biggest 3D-printing pen sculpture. The Qashqai Black Edition model was created to celebrate the car's launch and contains 13.8 km (8.6 mi) of plastic strands.

The Black Edition is the latest guise of Nissan's Qashqai crossover, which first went into production ten years ago. As a full-size artistic rendering of the vehicle, the sculpture measures 4.4-m (14.4-ft) long and 1.6-m (5.2-ft) tall.

The car was "drawn" by a team of 3D pen artists using 3Doodler 3D pens, which heat solid plastic up to as much as 230° C (446° F) before extruding it through a nozzle with a 0.7-mm (0.03-in) wide tip. At this point, the plastic is malleable enough to bend, but firm enough to hold its shape. As it cools, it begins to set.

Led by artist Grace Du Prez, the team spent 800 hours over a three-week period creating the sculpture. "I've been drawing with 3Doodler's pens for a few years now, but this is by far and away my most ambitious commission to date," said Du Prez. "It demonstrates how far 3D printing technology has come and how it can be used by anyone."

3Doodler artist Niki Firmin and Karsan Haval from Kingston University also worked on the project
3Doodler artist Niki Firmin and Karsan Haval from Kingston University also worked on the project

The Black Edition is a limited release of the Qashqai, with just 3,360 units to be set loose across Europe. Among its special features will be 19-in black alloy wheels, signature Black Edition door sills and front and rear silver styling plates.

The video below shows the construction of the 3D-printed Qashqai Black Edition.

Source: Nissan


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View gallery - 16 images
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