3D printing industry – Bentley!

Metal-printing technology transports cars to precision reserved for jewelry.

Bentley surprised the crowds at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show with the unveiling of the EXP 10 Speed 6 two seater sports car concept. Not one to indulge in the creating of concept cars very often, the EXP 10 Speed 6 is Bentley’s vision of a small performance-focused car with a new styling direction for the brand.

Handcraft is a tradition celebrated in the wood and leather work in current Bentley cars and the EXP 10 Speed 6 showcases this as well especially in the interior. But Bentley has incorporated new digital fabrication techniques to create details with a jewelry-like level of detail and precision.

3D metal printing technology was used to create elements including the front grille, door handles and exhaust ports. The grille, for instance, is a compound curved shape with varying depth of mesh that incorporates the ‘6’ designation into the printed structure. The metal headlight bezels feature a quilted pattern printed on the surface mimicking the interior leatherwork.

Some details which most people might miss show the attention paid to the design of the car. Have a look at the cut of the door panel which shows how the aluminum structure was wrapped with leather and the precise fit of the digitally sculpted wooden inner panel.

Bentley is saying the EXP 10 Speed 6 could influence a new model at most as well as offer styling direction for future vehicles in the rest of the line. It is a gorgeous looking car melding the familiar with something futuristic.