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3D Printing Beats Steel for BMW Prototype: Clemson University Saves 75% on Costs for Deep Orange Project

In 2011, CU-ICAR kicked off its fourth Deep Orange project with a sponsorship from BMW Manufacturing, Co. who also provided the main project objectives. BMW required the Deep Orange 4 vehicle to be based on BMW X3, targeting a niche market of performance-oriented SUV customers who want both best-in-class utility and space as well as a luxury design and experience. BMW also required a cost-efficient, low-volume manufacturing plan that wouldn’t negatively impact its existing production processes.


Clemson University, one of the top 20 universities in the country according to US News and World Report, is home to the nations only graduate Department of Automotive Engineering located at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).
In addition to excellent research and faculty, CU-ICAR attracts many students and employers with its Deep Orange project. Deep Orange is a two-year vehicle prototype project that students are required to complete in order to receive a masters or Ph.D. in automotive engineering. From the time they enter into the program until graduation, students are immersed in the hands-on process of vehicle design, engineering, prototyping and production. Read More >>


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