HRE3D+ 3D printed titanium wheels

HRE3D+ is a new titanium concept wheel created by a partnership between HRE Wheels and GE Additive and was created using 3D printed titanium. As you can see from the design above the 3D printing process has allowed the concept wheel a design that wouldn’t be possible to create using traditional manufacturing methods such as CNC machining alone. Check out the video below to learn more about the futuristic 3D printing prototype and its innovative manufacturing process.

HRE and GE Additive created the wheel in five distinct sections comprising the face of the wheel. Those five pieces were combined with a custom center section, all of which was eventually bolted to a carbon-fiber wheel rim using titanium fasteners. Some machining is still required, since its precision is unmatched and components like bolt holes need to be engineered to perfection.

“The wheel was created from titanium powder and a type of 3D printing called electron beam melting. An electron beam generates heat, which is used to form the powder into metal structures in a vacuum. Titanium likes to react with oxygen, so the vacuum bit is especially important. This technology can make more than wheels — it’s being investigated for use in medical-implant and aerospace manufacturing, as well.”

Source: CNET