Research Progress
Light Cocoon concept employs weatherproof textile skin over a bionically-inspired, back-lit trellis frame
Post: 2014-12-18 13:48  View:3147

EDAG traditionally produces a concept car incorporating "new thought" for the Geneva Motor Show each year and the 2015 concept car might initially stretch your imagination beyond "business as usual." The EDAG Light Cocoon Concept uses a weatherproof textile instead of the traditional metal skin for the car's panels, stretched over a bionically-inspired trellis body structure, then back-lit for effect.

 

Alongside RinspeedEDAG's concept cars are the most fun of all regular concepts to write up - they invariably push the boundaries of what's possible, and they're always using new techniques and technologies which are viable or soon-to-be viably incorporated in our transportation devices.

 

Regular Gizmag readers will no doubt remember the EDAG Genesis, from earlier this year which we billed as the "3D printed car of the future."

The EDAG Genesis employed biomimicry, essentially solving complex engineering problems by imitating solutions provided by nature. In the case of the GENESIS, it used the turtle's shell as the central concept in providing protection and cushioning for the occupants of an automobile, then used 3D printing to create the design and give us a 3D visualisation of what the world's leading manufacturers might be producing a decade or two from now.

The EDAG Group has elucidated its target in this process as: 'to develop and present pract...

The EDAG Group has elucidated its target in this process as: "to develop and present practicable and valid applications for use in component development and production

 

Of all the technologies to have emerged from the digital renaissance, additive manufacturing (3D printing) has the potential to be the most disruptive.

From EDAG's March 2014 media release: "The framework of the exhibit calls to mind a naturally developed skeletal frame, the form and structure of which should make one thing perfectly clear: these organic structures cannot be built using conventional tools! In the future, additive manufacturing (3D printing) could benefit designers and engineers by opening up enormous freedoms and new design options for development and production."

In the assessment, a specially developed evaluation matrix was used to quantify the techno...

In the assessment, a specially developed evaluation matrix was used to quantify the technologies

The Genesis was more a conceptual sculpture than an automobile, but the "EDAG Light Cocoon" takes it one step further and gives us a full concept study of a compact, dynamic sports car, and a realistic idea of what future lightweight construction might look like.

 

Using the same principals as the Genesis, EDAG's engineers have expanded their vision

of a bionically-optimised body structure combined with a weatherproof textile outer skin.

In order to be able to implement bionic construction principles and natural strategies, additive manufacturing (3D printing) has also been put to use.

 

"We are pursuing the vision of sustainability – as demonstrated by nature: lightweight, 
efficient, and without any waste," explains EDAG's head designer, Johannes Barckmann.

"The result: the 'EDAG Light Cocoon' presents a stable, branch-like load bearing structure from the 3D printer, which only uses material where it is absolutely necessary."

 

Read more at: http://www.gizmag.com/edag-light-cocoon-concept-car-uses-weatherproof-textile-outer-skin-panels/35258/

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