Frost & Sullivan names Divergent 3D as 2016 North American Innovation Award Winner

Based on recent analysis of structural manufacturing in the automotive industry, Frost & Sullivan has named Divergent 3D as the recipient of the 2016 North American Technology Innovation Award. The company’s proprietary 3-D metal printing process, enabled by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), is used for chassis manufacturing and other automotive applications.

According to Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Doraiswamy Bharath Sunderraj, "Divergent 3D's chassis system can be applied to any vehicle type, from sports cars to pickup trucks. Because the chassis system is lightweight and reduces the overall weight of the vehicle, it can slash the total lifecycle emissions of a passenger vehicle in half and diminish the capital cost of designing and manufacturing vehicles by 10 times."

Frost & Sullivan calls Divergent 3D's innovative approach to manufacturing a "dematerialized, high-quality, and lightweight chassis system which radically decreases vehicle pollutant emissions, withstands extreme forces, and delivers high performance with increased fuel efficiency, providing users with an excellent return on their investment."

At the center of this development is the Node™, a 3-D-printed alloy joint that connects standardized materials into modular, complex structures. This technology uses less energy and raw materials than traditional methods and allows manufacturers to quickly print and build complex structures without the need for metal tooling and stamping equipment. The weight of the Node-enabled chassis is up to five times lighter than that of traditional cars, despite being stronger and more durable, says Frost & Sullivan.