Road Trip Across Africa -- Relying on 3D Printed Spare Parts

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Warren Hurter, an engineering project manager at the University of Johannesburg manufacturing research center, says the road trip toolbox for the solar-powered Ilanga II car includes a 3D printer. According to Hurter, the printer was key to the planning for a 4,000+ kilometer long test trip. He says the printer will be used to build replacement parts in case any of the original parts fail on the grueling trip. Hurter adds that 3D printing was employed on the project to produce steering components, various buttons, a battery holder and a number of brackets to affix the solar roof panel to the machine's subframe. You can read the whole story here: http://3dprint.com/75218/3d-printed-spare-parts/

Below is a look at the vehicle which will be used for this trip:

[curious aardvark]

doesn't say what printer they've got and whether or not they've adapted it for solar power.