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BMW being flexible

These have to be fun and interesting times for working at BMW in Munich. Just a few days ago, BMW presented the GINA concept model, which kinda looks like a z4 crossed with a M6. The point about it is that it is covered by a flexible material like a skin. This way functions in the design can be achieved and changed dynamically and “on-line”. You’d have to have a look at this video to understand, what I’m talking about:

The main focus of this technology could be hiding functions that aren’t needed at the moment (like windshield wipers or lights, perhaps even mirrors??) and introducing adaptive aerodynamic behavior. The last point could be especially interesting, because right now aerodynamic tests are solely done using static models. If the geometry was controlled by an intelligent feedback controller, maybe better behavior (and thereby less energy consumption) could be achieved..

Now, how about this: Make the skin translucent and let LEDs behind it change its color based on the driver’s choice or current speed etc.. NICE! I’m amazed.

3d-printing and more open source hardware

This is something for the very near future. It’s also something quite interesting for everyone involved in modeling 3d-objects. Of course more than for theatrical designers 3d-printers are - used as prototyping machines - more useful for a better understanding of CAD-objects.

DailyTech reports of the company Desktop Factory which is planning to bring out a 3d printer to the market which will cost less than $ 5000.

The Desktop Factory 3D will build models layer by layer from bottom to top. The models are constructed using nylon which is mixed with aluminum and glass and then hardened by heat. The Desktop Factory 3D printer will measure 25″ x 20″ x 20″ and weighs less than 90 pounds. It can build 3D models up to 5″ x 5″ x 5″ constructed of layers 0.010″ thick.

The interesting part is that this is by far not the first such appliance. There are already open source projects which aim to bring prototype machines which cost much less AND are in their entirety open source and self-replicating. I know of two such projects: Fab@Home and RepRap.

RepRap will make plastic, ceramic, or metal parts, and is itself made from plastic parts, so it will be able to make copies of itself. It is a three-axis robot that moves several material extruders. These extruders produce fine filaments of their working material with a paste-like consistency.

RepRap, which is my favorite (mostly since it looks like something i could build) is planned to cost around $400 in material. Owners are encouraged to support new builders, which is actually a new dimension of the support-communities known in the software-scene..

Also, don’t forget to make two machines for friends or colleagues. It’s by no means required, but it is definitely in the spirit of the project. The project is free (as in speech), but unfortunately real stuff costs money, so the common etiquette is to pay for raw materials / shipping / construction time.

RepRap also has a bigger working area, which is around 300×300 mm² and is easily expandable.. Later on we’ll need a plugin for Blender to export objects created by Blender to the RepRap-Software.