Automotive 3D printing is revolutionizing the auto industry in many ways. From prototyping and waste reduction, to custom component creation and on-demand manufacturing, this revolutionary technology is helping car companies innovate while cutting costs.
Join Bruno Alves of Ford and Christian Kleylein from Brose for our webinar to gain more insight into how additive technologies are driving innovation across automotive giants.
Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping allows engineers to rapidly and economically fabricate prototypes in order to test and refine designs, providing engineers with an opportunity to learn about final product’s form and function before embarking on production runs.
This process begins by creating a 3D digital file using a computer-aided design (CAD) program, then slicing it up into thin layers that are read by a printer and built up over time. Different materials may be utilized depending on what kind of part is desired: PLA and ABS plastics work well for smaller parts like name placards or dial faces while nylon filaments and carbon-fiber-reinforced filaments may provide greater strength.
Restoration shops and aftermarket parts vendors use 3D printing to fabricate parts for classic cars no longer produced by their original manufacturers. Poland-based Alfa Project, for instance, reverse-engineered shift knobs and air vents from vintage Alfa Romeo models before 3D-printing improved versions using this technique to improve performance. Prototypes enable Alfa Project quickly test changes to design or improve airflow; ultimately bringing them one step closer towards producing final production models.
Custom Components
As 3D printing becomes more advanced, carmakers are using it to produce custom components. Porsche, for instance, uses generative design and metal 3D printing technology to craft brackets optimized for function and form rather than limited by traditional manufacturing techniques.
3D-printed components offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional tools and fixtures, and are aiding vehicle production overall – for instance, the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq features 115 3D-printed parts including structural ones like steering wheel trim and gear shift knob.
Restoration shops and car enthusiasts alike have turned to 3D printing technology as a tool to produce personalized exterior parts for their cars. Ultimaker notes that hot-rod builder Tucci Hot Rods employs this method for customising their fenders and spoilers while Poland-based Alfa Project reverse engineers classic Alfa Romeo parts before upgrading them using this process for increased functionality and aesthetics.
Reduced Waste
As the automotive industry undergoes an evolution toward greater efficiency, sustainability and technological innovation, 3D printing technology is helping manufacturers meet customer demands more quickly – this helps differentiate themselves in the marketplace while keeping classic car owners satisfied.
Production on-demand allows businesses to minimize inventory costs while providing customers with faster deliveries of customized car components, whether it is something simple like plastic bumper covers or intricate custom trim pieces. On-demand production provides both reduced costs and faster deliveries to customers.
Objective3D is Australia and New Zealand’s leading provider of 3D printer and scanner solutions, empowering manufacturers to redefine the future of car customization. We offer industry-leading Stratasys, GE Additive, and Lithoz printers so teams can make innovative yet efficient choices in their workflows. Get in touch today to discover more of our capabilities and how they can benefit your business!
Streamlined Inventory Management
3D printing technology has revolutionized aftermarket car part inventory costs, as designs can now be stored digitally and printed as soon as they’re needed – saving manufacturers storage space while cutting material, shipping and logistics costs significantly.
Automakers now offer custom car components tailored specifically to buyer preferences, turning vehicles from standard one-size-fits-all designs into distinctive expressions of personal style. Outdoor enthusiasts and travelers looking for roof racks that match perfectly can have them customized so that they fit securely onto their vehicles, providing stylish storage space for equipment and luggage safely and stylishly.
Watch this webinar hosted by Christian Kleylein, Technologist of Brose, and Bruno Alves, Additive Manufacturing Expert of Ford to discover how 3D printing is revolutionizing car design from design through production and beyond. Plus hear from IGESTEK, an automotive supplier which utilizes 3D printing throughout product development to verify geometries and produce rapid tooling; their streamlined processes enable designers to easily hold prototypes in their hands and refine designs quickly.
