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3D Printing

Daihatsu and Stratasys combine for user-customized Copens

July 07, 2015
Daihatsu and Stratasys combine for user-customized Copens
The front right hand view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. On this side we see the "moon effect" insert on the lower half of the front bumper
The front right hand view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. On this side we see the "moon effect" insert on the lower half of the front bumper
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Rear view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. Here we can see the 3D pattern on the rear bumper
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Rear view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. Here we can see the 3D pattern on the rear bumper
A close up view of the rear bumper
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A close up view of the rear bumper
The 3D panel looks different in different lighting arrangements. Here is the front lighting look
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The 3D panel looks different in different lighting arrangements. Here is the front lighting look
Here the lighting is directly from the side and so gives a more 3D look as the shadows increase the depth of the scene
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Here the lighting is directly from the side and so gives a more 3D look as the shadows increase the depth of the scene
On the left hand side of the Daihatsu Copen was shown a different style of insert panel in the form of a mesh like quality
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On the left hand side of the Daihatsu Copen was shown a different style of insert panel in the form of a mesh like quality
The range of panels and colors designed for the "Effects skin project"- 12 design types and 10- color variations.
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The range of panels and colors designed for the "Effects skin project"- 12 design types and 10- color variations.
The front right hand view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. On this side we see the "moon effect" insert on the lower half of the front bumper
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The front right hand view of the "Effects skin" Daihatsu Copen. On this side we see the "moon effect" insert on the lower half of the front bumper
This is a close-up view of the front of the Daihatsu Copen
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This is a close-up view of the front of the Daihatsu Copen
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Japan's oldest carmaker, Daihatsu and American 3D printing company Stratasys have come together to let Daihatsu Copen owners design their own car panels and have them made to order. Utilizing the unique changeable panel system on the open sports car, special panels will accept costumer designed elements with new shapes and textures. This personalized driving experience was recently proven by Designers Kota Nezu and Junjie Sun on their "Effect Skins" project and Gizmag went along to the 2015 Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions Expo to see the results.

In recent years, 3D printing technologyhas become a viable prototyping and specialist manufacturing process within theautomotive industry. So the step towards making this process available to thewider general public is a logical progression. The Effects Skincustomization process uses DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing) and is designed to add an extra dimension to the widerDRESS-FOMATION project, in which Daihatsu gives car owners the ability to completely change all theouter panels of their Copen. Daihatsu says such a combination of new panels with 3D inserts of your own design creates a limitless style expression for your car.

The range of panels and colors designed for the "Effects skin project"- 12 design types and 10- color variations.
The range of panels and colors designed for the "Effects skin project"- 12 design types and 10- color variations.

The key part of the process is the FDM(Fused Deposition Modeling), which uses a high UV stability ASA thermoplasticmaterial that matches the color and look of the existing panels. For the EffectSkins project, the front and rear bumper inserts as well as the badgesurrounds were offered in 12 design types and 10 color variations. Whenlaunched, hopefully early in 2016, this customization servicecould mean that no two Daihatsu Copen`s are the same – a truly "customer-ized" car.

Source : Stratasys

View gallery - 8 images

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3D PrintingAutomotiveDaihatsu
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Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really cool.
I wonder if they could do the same for the Smart Fortwo and Smart Forfour? It too has interchangeable panels. They are also easily changed so one can have a different color if one wanted without having to repaint it or buy a different car.
Bruce Miller
Replica cars! I want an electric replica MGA ! imagine the huge market for these?
John Banister
I like this idea. What I'd also like is "design your own dashboard." Electronic instrument clusters and navigation panels would need only power if they communicate with the vehicle wirelessly. My dad has a folded piece of cardboard taped around the upper three sides of the backup camera screen on his 2014 Avalon, because otherwise there's sun glare issues often rendering the screen pointless during daytime. It'd be nice to be able to pick your own layout and give the car you order a properly recessed screen like the one found in the current Mercedes S-Class.