3D Printed Tractor
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Abstract
Using, WAAM, it is straightforward to 3D print a full scale tractor pending availability of a large 3D printing platform. Given wire costs of $1/lb and grid electricity costs of 5 cents per lb of steel deposited, this becomes a cost effective and worthwhile proposition for distributed production.
Industry Standards
- JD 8R 250 hp tractors cost $250k [1] and weigh about 30k lb. Overall, the tractor cost is approximately $10/lb.
Open Source Design
- Using collaborative development for open source blueprints for Civilization - the total materials cost of a comparable tractor would be approximately $1/lb +/-20%.
Thus, there is a great business opportunity to deliver similar grade tractors at 20-30% the up front cost. Based on lifetime design, it is possible to produce equivalent tractors at 2-10% of the commercial equivalents.