With an 3D printer, Audi has produced a scale model of the historic Auto Union Typ C Grand Prix car from 1936. Now the company is looking at the possibilities of using metal printers for the realization of complex parts. And at the same time important synergies are created within the Volkswagen Group.
“Together with research partners, we are constantly exploring the limits of new processes. One of our missions is to be able to use metal printers for mass production, ”says Prof. Hubert Waltl, Audi board member in the field of production and head of Toolmaking of the Volkswagen Group.
Metal printing achieves complex shapes
Audi now has all the metal parts of the 'Silver Arrow' Auto Union Type C model on a scale of 1: 2 produced by means of metal printing. With this printing process, complex geometric shapes can be realized that are not or hardly possible with conventional techniques.
Pioneer
Audi Toolmaking is seen as a pioneer in the development of new technologies, also within the Volkswagen Group. One of the innovations of the company is the 'intelligent tool', which is used to make sharper contours in the steel plates of car bodies.
Legendary pre-war racer
The Silver Arrow Type C from Auto Union was a legendary pre-war racing car. It was built in 1936 and 1937. It was propelled by means of an 6 liter V16 mid-engine which was built from light metal. A compressor from Roots provided an extra power dimension. In its debut year, the Type C was the most successful German Grand Prix car. In that year he won three of the five Grand Prizes, half of the circuit races and all mountain races in which Auto Union was involved. A year later, the legend of Auto Union ruled the Mercedes Benz W125 a number of times.
Pedal car
In 2007 and 2011, the Silver Arrow Type C was also used for new production methods. A version largely made of aluminum was built in an edition of 999 times. Characteristic of this Pedal Car was the detachable steering wheel, which made getting in and out easier. In the 1: 2 scale, just like the 3D model of today and the 2007 version, a carbon and aluminum version followed in 2011. In this version an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery were mounted.