3D Printed Lithium Battery Adapter for 2014 and Up Ford Mustangs, GT350 and GT350R Mustangs

Additive manufacturing is a great tool in that it allows the quick and easy prototyping and pre-production models of all types of parts, spanning several industries. From medical to automotive, it has been used heavily throughout the past 10 years, especially as the equipment has come down in price and is more readily available. There are even printers which were designed and tailored almost specifically for certain industries.

One area where additive manufacturing is gaining momentum is automotive. This is in part due to the customization options a 3D printer can provide. Whether it be mechanical parts under the hood, or creating 3D printed car models, these machines are now an integral part of automotive design and production. In the past, the material capabilities were more limiting, but with the major advances in the additive manufacturing world (especially FDM technology), substantial innovation is now very possible.

Repop 3D utilizes the capabilities of the EVO Additive Manufacturing Center in order to create a new lithium-ion battery adapter for the Antigravity Lithium ATX20HD battery designed for the Ford Mustang. Utilizing all of the benefits of 3D printing — customization, material choice, physical prototyping — Repop 3D successfully developed an affordable, custom mount which allows you to save over 25lbs when used in conjunction with a lightweight lithium battery such as the Antigravity battery in this case. By printing, rather than molding, it is possible to save thousands of dollars in tooling costs and provide the customer with an affordable, on demand form-fitting part.

The Antigravity Lithium ATX20HD battery is much smaller than the stock GT350/GT350R battery, and is even smaller compared to the standard S550 Mustang battery. It has a higher number of cold-crank hours, and higher performance overall. The main problem when switching to a smaller battery is fitting it into the stock battery compartment. It must line up properly in order to not move around when driving and so that the battery cables correctly match up.

The Antigravity Lithium ATX20HD Battery Mount by Repop 3D solves these issue as it places the battery on the correct X, Y, and Z coordinates for the cables to align as OEM and for the unit to be clamped down using the stock battery tray in the car. This mount will last the lifetime of the car as long as it is printed in a strong material. The Antigravity Lithium ATX20HD battery slides right into the battery adapter and then mounts as if you were installing the stock battery. Everything lines right up, and the battery fits snug without moving around.

The original part was first printed in Airwolf 3D’s high-grade MG94 ABS, but was later made with FiberTuff — an all-new glass-filled ABS which displays exceptional strength — and also matches many of the carbon factory parts under the hood of the car.

Find out more here:  http://repop3d.com

What is it:   An adapter for fitting an Antigravity Lithium ATX20HD battery to the factory Mustang battery box

Why a lithium battery:  Lithium batteries such are significantly lighter than stock batteries, in this case weighing about 5.18lbs or about 26lbs lighter than a 32lb standard battery and about 21lbs lighter than the special 26.6lb battery in the GT350 and GT350R Mustangs.

Benefits:   “To go faster, lose weight.”  Improves cars’ performance by losing weight to gain a performance advantage

3D Printed:

3D printed for surface finish and strength

Taking advantage of the normal constraints like raw material cost, tooling cost, and geometry challenges

Form and function:

• Posts are in the same position as original battery so cables lay right on new posts without bending or stress, so battery will fit correctly
• Same tabs for mounting in the battery compartment exactly like stock
• Adapter is designed to have an outer shape compatible with the factory mounts and an inner configuration tailored to the lithium battery.  
• Battery cables align with with the lithium terminals so there is no need for any other components to prop the battery up or hold it in place  
• The installation process takes less than 10 minutes and provides a lifetime of service

If you have any particular requests for battery adapters please feel free to send a request to info@airwolf3d.com