Audi 3D prints scale model of Auto Union Typ 3C race auto

Audi’s tool making division used 3D printing to build a half‑size model of a famous race car. The car is the 1936 Auto Union Typ 3C Grand Prix car. The model is exactly one‑half the size of the real car.

How Audi Made the Model

The model was printed with a special metal 3D printer. The printer uses a laser to melt tiny metal powder. The laser follows a computer design and builds the part layer by layer.

The metal powder grains are very small. They are about 15 to 40 microns across. A human hair is about 70 microns wide, so the grains are smaller than a hair.

Audi can print with steel or with aluminum. The printer can make objects up to 240 mm long and 200 mm high. That is big enough for the half‑size race car.

What Metal Laser Sintering Means

Metal laser sintering is a kind of 3D printing. It is also called selective laser sintering (SLS). The laser heats the powder just enough to stick the particles together. It does not melt the whole piece.

Because the printer adds material only where it is needed, it can make very complex shapes. Some shapes are impossible to make with casting or forging.

Complex geometry means things like internal channels, lattice structures, or tiny details. These can improve a part’s performance or reduce its weight.

Why the Model Is Important

Audi says that 3D printed parts can be stronger than parts made by casting or forging. Strength is measured by how much force a part can hold before breaking.

The company has not said how long the printing took. It also did not list which parts of the car were printed. But the fact that a large portion of the model was printed shows the printer’s ability.

Showing the model at the Detroit Auto Show helped Audi explain the technology to the public. At the same show, a 3D printed Shelby Cobra made of carbon‑fiber‑reinforced plastic was also displayed.

Future Uses of 3D Printed Car Parts

Audi is studying whether 3D printing can be used for real car parts. If it works, the parts could go into Audi cars and also into other brands owned by the Volkswagen Group.

Potential benefits include:

• Faster prototyping: Engineers can print a part in days instead of weeks.
• Less waste: Only the needed material is used.
• Customization: Each car could have parts tuned for its driver.
• Weight reduction: Complex lattice structures can keep strength while using less metal.

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory also talked about how 3D printing could help both small and large manufacturers. They said the technology could lower costs and open new design possibilities.

FAQ

What does 1:2 scale mean?

It means the model is half the size of the real car. Every 2 cm on the real car becomes 1 cm on the model.

Can 3D printed metal parts be used in everyday cars?

Right now, Audi is testing the idea. The technology looks promising, but more testing is needed before it reaches mass production.

Is the 3D printed model functional?

The model is a visual replica. It is not built to drive, but it shows how the printing process works for complex shapes.

What materials can Audi’s printer use?

The printer can use steel or aluminum powder. Both are common in car manufacturing.

Conclusion

Audi’s half‑size 3D printed Auto Union Typ 3C model proves that metal laser sintering can create detailed, strong parts. The technology could change how car makers design and build vehicles. As Audi continues its research, we may soon see 3D printed parts in real cars, making them lighter, stronger, and more customized.

Read more about the project on CNET and other news sites.