Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.

The Hamster wrecks his Morgan!

Richard Hammond has wrecked his Morgan Aeromax in a prang in Gloucestershire The Hamster was apparently on his way back from a flying lesson (look out for the Hamster and Captain Slow in flying washing machines in the next series of Top Gear, then) when a car braked sharply at a roundabout at Over, in Gloucestershire. The resulting four car shunt – with the Hamster at the back – ended up with much swapping of details, but no injuries. And Hammond came off least worse being at the back.

For your eyes only: British museum highlights Bond vehicles

James Bond is best known for driving Aston Martins past and present. But over the course of 22 movies, Ian Fleming's character has piloted all sorts of motorized machines. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond films, the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, England, has put together an exhibit highlighting 50 of the most recognizable vehicles from his movies.