The Air Car caused a huge stir when we reported last year that Tata Motors would begin producing it in India. Now the little gas-free ride that could is headed Stateside in a big-time way.
And while ZPM is also licensed to build MDI’s two-seater One CAT economy model (the one headed for India) and three-seat Mini CAT (like a Smart For Two without the gas), the New Paltz, N.Y., startup is aiming bigger: Company officials want to make the first air-powered car to hit U.S. roads a $17,800, 75-hp equivalent, six-seat modified version of MDI’s City CAT (pictured above) that, thanks to an even more radical engine, is said to travel as far as 1000 miles at up to 96 mph with each tiny fill-up.
We’ll believe that when we drive it, but MDI’s new dual-energy engine—currently being installed in models at MDI facilities overseas—is still pretty damn cool in concept. After using compressed air fed from the same Airbus-built tanks in earlier models to run its pistons, the next-gen Air Car has a supplemental energy source to kick in north of 35 mph, ZPM says. A custom heating chamber heats the air in a process officials refused to elaborate upon, though they insisted it would increase volume and thus the car’s range and speed.
"I want to stress that these are estimates, and that we’ll know soon more precisely from our engineers," ZPM spokesman Kevin Haydon told PM, "but a vehicle with one tank of air and, say, 8 gal. of either conventional petrol, ethanol or biofuel could hit between 800 and 1000 miles."
Those figures would make the Air Car, along with Aptera’s Typ-1 and Tesla’s Roadster, a favorite among early entrants for the Automotive X Prize, for which MDI and ZPM have already signed up. But with the family-size, four-door City CAT undergoing standard safety tests in Europe, then side-impact tests once it arrives in the States, could it be the first 100-mpg, nonelectric car you can actually buy?
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AutoCAD
First released in December 1982 by Autodesk Inc., AutoCAD is one of the leading industry solutions for complex CAD projects. Available in a number of specific versions for Windows and – since version 2011 – for Mac. OS X.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13779270 -
CATIA
CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) is a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the Dassault Systemes and marketed by IBM. The latest releases are CATIA V5 and CATIA V6.
http://www.3ds.com/products/catia -
NX
NX is a CAD/CAM/CAE PLM software suite developed by Siemens PLM Software. NX is a parametric solid/surface feature-based modeler and is based on Parasolid geometric modeling kernel.
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/ -
Pro:Engineer
Developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation), Pro/ENGINEER is a software targeted to 3D product design that offers an integrated, parametric, 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution.
http://www.ptc.com/products/proengineer/ -
Solid Edge
Published by Siemens PLM Software, Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology is a history-free, feature-based 2D/3D CAD software system. It offers part and assembly modeling, drafting, data management and built-in finite element analysis (FEA).
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/index.shtml
An official video tutorial by Autodesk that shows different techniques for creating surface fillets in Alias 2010.
Related posts:
link to Alias 2010 Blending Techniques
Tutorial details:
- URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3mZ5R4a8UA
- Source: Autodesk
Sponsored Links:
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Product Video (Click to view)
ENGINE | Type | 60 Hp, 2400 RPM, 3 cylinder, Direct injection, turbo charged, Rotary FIP Liquid cooled with overflow reservoir. |
| Air filter | Dry type, dual element |
| Clutch | Dual |
| Gear Box | 9 Forward + 3 Reverse |
| Speeds | Forward 2.3 to 32.8 Kmph, Reverse 3.9 to 25.4 Kmph |
| Oil Immersed disk brakes,Self Adjusting, Self Equalising, Hydraulically Actuated |
| Lifting capacity | 1800 kgf at lower link ends |
| 3 Point linkage | Category II |
| Automatic depth & draft control | |
| Type | Power |
| Steering Column | Tiltable up to 25° with lock latch |
| Type | Independent, 6 Splines |
| RPM | 540 @ 2376 ERPM |
| Front | 6.5 X 20, 8 PR |
| Rear | 16.9 X 30, 12 PR |
| 68 litres |
| 88Ah, 12 Volt Battery |
| 40 Amp alternator |
| 2.5 KW starter motor |
| Total weight | 2130 Kg |
| Wheel base | 2050 mm |
| Overall length | 3540 mm |
| Overall width | 1885 mm |
| Ground clearance | 470 mm |
| Turning radius with brakes | 3181 mm |
| Ballast weights, Canopy, Canopy holder, Draw bar, Wagon hitch |
- Adjustable front axle
- Heavy duty front axle
- Reverse PTO (Standard + reverse)
- Dual PTO (Standard + Economy)
- EQRL system
- Synchromesh Transmission (TSS)
- Single piece hood with gas strut mechanism
- Side bar, exhaust muffler guard & finger guard
- Viscous fan
- Water bottle holder
- Mobile Holder
The Bimota Tesi Concept is a design study of an electric motorcycle concept targeted to urban and novice bikers. The author is Michal Pyteraf from Poland.
unknown in Italian), this electric motorcycle concept was the 2010 graduate project by Michal Pyteraf, from the Jan Matejk
o Academy of Fine Art in Krakow, Poland.
The vehicle is primarily intended for novice riders and urban bikers who need an agile vehicle for the crowded streets of big cities.
The bike has a very compact body, with a small front wheel and lowered handlebars.
The design is characterized by the cantilever single-seat and by the hollow space created by the two flowing surfaces that extend from the headlight and visually replace the conventional tank.
The project was done during the summer 2010 under the supervision of* Marek Liskiewicz* (Triada Design).
The 3D model was created in Rhinoceros3D software, and rendered in Bunskpeed Hypershot.
The 1:10 scale model was made by CarTechnology in Krakow with Z-corp printing technology and Stereolithography.
unknown in Italian), this electric motorcycle concept was the 2010 graduate project by Michal Pyteraf, from the Jan Matejk
The vehicle is primarily intended for novice riders and urban bikers who need an agile vehicle for the crowded streets of big cities.The bike has a very compact body, with a small front wheel and lowered handlebars.
The design is characterized by the cantilever single-seat and by the hollow space created by the two flowing surfaces that extend from the headlight and visually replace the conventional tank.
The project was done during the summer 2010 under the supervision of* Marek Liskiewicz* (Triada Design).
The 3D model was created in Rhinoceros3D software, and rendered in Bunskpeed Hypershot.
The 1:10 scale model was made by CarTechnology in Krakow with Z-corp printing technology and Stereolithography.
About the Designer
Michal Pyteraf is a 26 years old designer from Poland. He graduated in Industrial Design from the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Art in Krakow.Contact Details:
- email: contact@michalpyteraf.pl
- website: michalpyteraf.pl
- phone: +48 602895564
At the Clerkenwell Design Week in London (24-26 May 2011) Jaguar is showcasing a bespoke art installation that illustrates the design development of the C-X75 Concept.
The installation reveals insights into the car design process through eight ‘windows’ each measuring two metres wide.Starting with inspiration, the journey includes creating sketchwork, material choice and sculpting full-size clay models created for the C-X75 Concept.
It is revealed that for that in the early design phase of a new car, approximately five hundred sketches are pencilled before a single theme is decided upon.
Also on display are a selection of Jaguar’s current range of cars; the XFR, XKR-S and XJ Supersport. The company’s stands are located in the Farmiloe Building.
Hugo Nightingale, Senior Designer, Jaguar Cars, said: “We want to explain to people the art of creating a car. In some companies car design is a technical, cold process. At Jaguar it is about emotion, artistry and craftsmanship.”
“Clerkenwell Design Week is the perfect environment for us to present the C-X75 to the design world and explain how its existence was founded on a desire to continue Jaguar’s design philosophy of flowing lines, purity of form and bespoke luxury for years to come.”On the C-X75 Ian Callum, Design Director, Jaguar Cars, commented, “The C-X75 is everything a Jaguar should be.
“It possesses remarkable poise and grace yet at the same time has the excitement and potency of a true supercar. You could argue this is as close to a pure art form as a concept car can get.”
For free entry register at www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com.
Scott Robertson‘s Design Studio Press, a publisher specialized in concept design, with original artbooks and educational books, is launching “PULSE – the complete guide to future racing”, an artbook by concept designer Harald Belker.
PULSE illustrates Harald’s vision of the future world of motorsports in the year 2035, featuring extreme vehicles based on magnetic levitation.
Harald Belker himself has unveiled the first images on Filter Foundry.
He has commented “In this new book, I introduce the world of PULSE in illustrations and graphic detail. Based on Mag-Lev principles, these newly designed and developed racing machines take the racers to the limit of human endurance.”
“To advertise the cutting-edge technology and sheer speed of Mag-Lev, events were held with a handful of machines and fearless racers.
“Within a few years, PULSE Racing Grand Prix were hosted in major metropolitan areas with the funding of the cities.”
This vision is illustrated with elaborate drawings and digital renderings that showcase the possibilities of today different technologies and tools.
The 200-pages book has a 10 x 11.5 inches format and will be offered in both paperback and hardcover versions, respectively at $39.95 and $60.00.
“PULSE” will be launched within this month (July 2011) and is already available for pre-order on Design Studio Press.
For more information visit Filter Foundry.
In 1990 he graduated with honors in Transportation Design at the Art Center College of Design.
He worked for Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany and then joined the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Orange County, California.
After his automotive design experience he started doing design work for the entertainment industry.
Among his works are many vehicles and props for movies such as Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Spider-Man, Minority Report, Superman and Knight Rider 2008 TV series.
His instructional DVDs, available for purchase at The Gnomon Workshop, provide a detailed look at his design approach, from concept to execution.
For more information visit his official website.
PULSE illustrates Harald’s vision of the future world of motorsports in the year 2035, featuring extreme vehicles based on magnetic levitation.
Harald Belker himself has unveiled the first images on Filter Foundry.
He has commented “In this new book, I introduce the world of PULSE in illustrations and graphic detail. Based on Mag-Lev principles, these newly designed and developed racing machines take the racers to the limit of human endurance.”
“To advertise the cutting-edge technology and sheer speed of Mag-Lev, events were held with a handful of machines and fearless racers.“Within a few years, PULSE Racing Grand Prix were hosted in major metropolitan areas with the funding of the cities.”
This vision is illustrated with elaborate drawings and digital renderings that showcase the possibilities of today different technologies and tools.
The 200-pages book has a 10 x 11.5 inches format and will be offered in both paperback and hardcover versions, respectively at $39.95 and $60.00.
“PULSE” will be launched within this month (July 2011) and is already available for pre-order on Design Studio Press.
For more information visit Filter Foundry.
About Harald Belker
Harald Belker was born in 1961, Düsseldorf, West Germany.In 1990 he graduated with honors in Transportation Design at the Art Center College of Design.
He worked for Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany and then joined the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Orange County, California.After his automotive design experience he started doing design work for the entertainment industry.
Among his works are many vehicles and props for movies such as Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Spider-Man, Minority Report, Superman and Knight Rider 2008 TV series.
His instructional DVDs, available for purchase at The Gnomon Workshop, provide a detailed look at his design approach, from concept to execution.
For more information visit his official website.
