@philsfcs and @kiteboarder.. My team is in the middle of researching the total life cycle costs of mid-sized metal parts* out of 316 stainless steel vs anodized aluminum vs powder coated steel. My prediction is that stainless will win out when advanced 3D printing is used to minimize the amount of the stronger metal is needed.🧐I promise to post the results as soon as available.
*This would include parts like Aptera‘s front a-arms and rear swing arm. Maybe even the entire front tubular sub frame made in one piece.
@Ken Kobayashi, lowering part costs at higher production rates requires ever increasing levels of Capital investment and lead times.
These costs were factored into the calculations above in an unbiased, and very simple way. Specifically, amortizing all capital equipment by each total Lifecycle hour required to make a part using each process.The bottom line is that AM built stainless steel seems to be the process to use for EV suspension components, regardless of production volume.
@philsfcs and @kiteboarder.. My team is in the middle of researching the total life cycle costs of mid-sized metal parts* out of 316 stainless steel vs anodized aluminum vs powder coated steel. My prediction is that stainless will win out when advanced 3D printing is used to minimize the amount of the stronger metal is needed.🧐 I promise to post the results as soon as available.
*This would include parts like Aptera‘s front a-arms and rear swing arm. Maybe even the entire front tubular sub frame made in one piece.