Ferrari is usually highly secretive about what it has in the pipeline in terms of performance technologies, with its manufacturing secrets being locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
It seems excitement has gotten the better of the sports car and F1 legends however as it has revealed it is working on new and exciting 3D printing technology, which is expected to be a breakthrough for the carmaker, according to its Technical Director Mattia Binotto.
Ferrari Wants More Power
Ferrari’s aim is to essentially increase engine performance via changes to combustion, these changes being a considerable increase in combustion chamber pressure. Of course, with greater thresholds of power comes the need for stronger and more versatile construction.
In order to accommodate higher stress levels due to an increase in pressure, Ferrari is looking to innovate its engine designs by using 3D printing, which will give it greater freedom in terms of what materials it can use for manufacturing and how it can control weight levels.
The most significant factor of 3D printing for Ferrari is that it gives it the ability to use steel alloys instead of aluminium.
Why is using Steel and not Aluminium significant?
Although aluminium has previously been the alloy of choice, Ferrari has found resistance and deformation to be an issue, given its new combustion targets. Aluminium is lighter than steel, but steel has greater stress thresholds, but is heavier. So what is the answer?
3D Printing Engine Parts
The new steel alloy Ferrari is using is heavier, but by using 3D printing Ferrari is able to create unique, honeycomb designs that offer the best of both worlds.
The 3D printing honeycomb techniques – previously limited to plastic mouldings – gives technical designers greater dexterity compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
In essence, steel alloy engine parts such as pistons can be created offering the strength of steel but, due to the 3D honeycomb manufacturing process, the lightweight construction of aluminium.