Case Study: RapidformRCA and Capoco Design

A new concept in personalised urban transport – a joint venture between InnovationRCA and British consultancy Capoco Design – has been recognised for ‘outstanding design’ at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mobilicity PPT is a demand-responsive service that could transform urban travel through the deployment of automated, driverless, hybrid-electric vehicles on selected city routes. It originated with a research associate project in RCA Vehicle Design led by Merih Kunur.

The concept was selected for exhibition in Detroit as part of Michelin Challenge Design 2006, an initiative that promotes innovation and creative thinking in vehicle design. This high-profile industry showcase was vital given Capoco’s aim to attract development partners to make the project a reality ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.

With limited time to create the one-fifth scale model of the vehicle in time for the Detroit auto show in January 2006, Capoco decided to use RapidformRCA, the College’s rapid prototyping bureau, to realise the design vision of the project.

RapidformRCA used Z Corp 3D printing technology to produce more than 50 individual parts, including 12 seats and detailed styling parts. Conventional modelmaking would have taken months. The parts were impregnated with a two-part epoxy resin to give them durability. After finishing and assembly, the model was shipped to the States to meet the exhibition deadline.

“It was a real partnership with the RCA – research, innovation and, latterly, rapid prototyping – that got us to Detroit,” says Capoco Design director Alan Ponsford.

RapidformRCA has recently added the latest Z Corp machine to its service offer which already boasts stereolithography, fused deposition modelling and a standard Z Corp system. This new system produces parts in colour directly from 3D CAD data.

There are potential applications in all areas where colour can be used to enhance the communication of the work. But, says Martin Watmough, business development manager of RapidformRCA, the technology will be particularly relevant for topographical mapping and even in conservation where a missing area of 3D artwork can be scanned and a replacement part built up.