But, will this idea take root?
3D printing is a modern phenomenon. But titanium 3D printing is even more remarkable.
It is real and not a sci-fi movie. It has been used in satellite production and artificial skeleton pieces, but it is now making its way into automotive industry via aftermarket wheels.
HRE wheels and GE Additive have teamed up to create prototype 3d-printed titanium wheels that will be available on the market within the next few months.
These groundbreaking wheels were made by “Electron Beam Melting,” which utilizes an electron beam to fuse titanium powder together. The finished product, which is similar to “normal” 3D printing of titanium powders, is composed of layers upon layers of fused titanium.
Although the process involves extensive machining, bonding the surfaces together is actually less difficult than you might think. Because titanium is resistant to corrosion, the finished wheels do not require any additional coating. The titanium wheel center is then attached to a carbon fiber-rim using titanium fasteners.
This is the future of manufacturing allow wheels, or is this a fad. It’s impressive in any case.
