Fouche Rolls Out New Release of Cheetah 2 with 3D Printed Jack for Your Car

If you are part of the Fouche 3D Printing team, it’s a sure bet you perk up when founder Hans Fouche says, “I have an idea.” This was the case recently with their latest highly utilitarian 3D print–a plastic jack that is so strong from the fabrication process that it works and works well, lifting up a car with ease.

Nothing says self-sustainability like being able to 3D print your own tools and then use them in what could possibly be a dire situation. Fouche 3D Printing, having just released their unique Cheetah 2 3D Printer, is demonstrating its prowess on a few levels. Not only is this latest 3D model an incredibly strong plastic tool that will stand the test of time and possibly save you in a potential crisis when you are stranded by the side of the road, but as founder and South African engineer Hans Fouche recently relayed to 3DPrint.com, it’s also making history as not only the first working car jack made from plastic, but also as the first working car jack that is 3D printed.

Made in of course, only a short three hours, the auto tool is constructed centrally of a main beam made in two parts to accommodate the inside hollow pockets. The arm was also fabricated in the same manner, Hans recently told 3DPrint.com. They used two hinge pins for a solid print, with M6 nuts and bolts holding the parts together. Hans has indicated that he is still refining that design and construction.

Check out the 3D printed jack in action:

You can already attempt making your own as well though, since Fouche has released the files on Thingiverse. While you’re at it, why not make one for every member of the family as an oversized stocking stuffer this year? That’s definitely something you might receive big thanks for later. It’s also the cue to all of our readers (especially with wintry weather coming) to check and see whether the jack you haven’t used in months or years–or ever–is still there. If not, this is a quick and easy way to get organized for future issues.

The Cheetah 2, like its predecessor, offers benefits that are many and exponential, from the fact that it prints with much less expensive material in the form of ABS granules, to the flow rate which is ten times faster through the 3mm nozzle (see comprehensive specs below). Meant for the serious hobbyist, this printer will cost you as follows:

• Baseline model – $9,800 USD
• Extended baseline model – $10,600 USD
• Extended and increased flow model – $14,000 USD

We’ve been following Fouche 3D printing and their innovative founder for quite some time now–and definitely with enormous interest, regarding the innovations that have sprung from the original Cheetah 3D printer. Who couldn’t be impressed with 3D printed shoes, a 3D printed lawnmower, and the 3D printed vacuum cleaner that even doubles as a flower pot?

While those are all innovative achievements in themselves, it’s also mighty important to add that those items were printed in stunning amounts of time. For example, the previously mentioned shoes cost virtually nothing and can be printed in under six minutes, and both the working lawnmower and vacuum cleaner were fabricated in just under nine hours. Not only that, it’s worth mentioning again that the first Cheetah 3D printer is big enough to take a nap in. As they say, it’s five o’clock somewhere…and Fouche’s hammock setup looks pretty tempting.

We are of course–and we have to say it– totally jacked about the latest innovation, and the new release of the Cheetah 2–but certainly not surprised. One can only wonder what will happen next time Hans Fouche has a lightbulb go off, especially with a formidable new printer at his disposal.  Let’s hear your thoughts on this new printer in the Cheetah 2 Forum thread on 3DPB.com

Specs for the Cheetah 2 3D Printer