Savannah – October 22, 2026 -- The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) delivered a fully functional, all-electric concept car, The Aether, with an entirely 3D-printed body, and showed it at the 2024 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Hatch Exhibits prints main panels on a Massivit 5000
Custom design studio Hatch Exhibits partnered with the SCAD team to print the main car panels on a Massivit 5000 large-scale 3D printer. The machine uses Gel Dispensing Printing, which cures material with UV light during printing. It builds geometries from CAD designs or 3D scans, and panels can be reprinted within a few hours.
The project was led by Rafael Corazza Ronchetti, a former Lamborghini and Audi supercar designer who now teaches Industrial Design at SCAD. His team drew on the Ferrari 312 F1 and Porsche 917 for the convertible's styling.
Single-piece panels remove the need to bond smaller parts
Printing large panels in one piece avoids bonding multiple smaller parts into a 1:1 component, which the source credits with greater design accuracy. Massivit's technology also targets train covers and truck grills.
Additive process cuts material waste and keeps design IP in-house
SCAD chose industrial 3D printing largely for sustainability. Additive manufacturing uses only the material required, unlike milling, machining or clay methods, which generate large amounts of waste. In-house production also reduces transportation needs and carbon footprint. Centralizing design and development in-house helps OEMs safeguard sensitive design IP.
The Aether targets younger drivers with an AI dashboard
The battery-electric car has an AI dashboard that matches music to specific driving patterns, plus transparent internal paneling. SCAD Design Associate Chairperson Owen Foster said "Gen Z and Gen Alpha drivers are looking for something that will amplify their own unique journey through life."
The team met its production deadline for the Austin showcase.