Today, nearly every automaker and many suppliers have made 3D printing a vital element of product development. While 3D printing isn’t ideal for producing auto parts on a large scale, because it’s not cost effective, it is very suitable for producing low to medium volume parts relatively quickly. This is ideal in situations where a specific part is no longer made, like for antique cars. It’s also great for developing cutting-edge products for motor-sports and completing auto body repairs after an accident. Keep reading to learn how major automobile manufacturers are using 3D printing innovation to drive the company forward:
Building And Testing Prototypes
Automobile manufacturers have been using 3D printing to build prototypes of various car parts. This makes it much more efficient to test products before putting them on the market. In fact, one very famous car company bought the third 3D printer ever made, about 25 years ago, Today, that same company has five labs that can turn out parts made of resin, sand, silica powder, and even metal in as little as a few hours to a couple of days.
Additional ways 3D printing has been useful in building and testing auto parts include:
- Ability to quickly diagnose and resolve problems in new vehicles before the are scheduled to be launched to the public.
- Maximizes the efficiency of new engines.
- Ability to assemble and test intake manifolds and other automobile parts in a matter of days instead of months.
- Ability to repair antique vehicles with parts that are no longer manufactured.
- Ability to repair automobiles faster, after they’ve been damaged in a collision.
Research And Development
Auto manufacturer engineers use 3D printers to build parts for research and development purposes. The benefit of using 3D printing in this capacity is that the company can quickly determine that a particular part will fit a specific vehicle and ensure that it works properly before it goes into full-scale production. When working with the latest innovations for the race track, one auto company uses 3D printing to manufacture brake inlets, gearbox side covers, ducting, and more on its racecar.
Other current projects being worked on in the automobile industry include using 3D printing to build a fan housing with a built-in switch, which comes out of the printer fully assembled. There is no other way to create something like this, which makes it a milestone in the auto industry.
Besides making and testing prototype auto parts, one auto manufacture took it a step further and printed the first operational automobile. This groundbreaking electric vehicle is expected to be available in 2015, though just in small quantities. There is still some testing that has to be done before it’s ready for public sale. It will carry a price tag of $18,000 to $30,000.
Next Generation 3D Printers
A luxury automobile manufacturer recently funded the research to create a large 3D printer specialized for automobile parts. This new printer, called the X line 1000R system, can print in metal. The laser source and optics on this revolutionary 3D printer have been designed to work especially well with aluminum. Printing with aluminum is ideal for car manufacturers because it is strong, lightweight, and inexpensive.
Printing Replacement Parts
In addition to using 3D printers to invent and test prototypes in the automobile industry, there is a need for 3D printing replacement parts and customized aftermarket parts. This will be a huge help for people needing replacement parts when originals are no longer available. For instance, classic car collectors will no longer have trouble locating hard-to-find items, or parts that are no longer manufactured. Instead, these parts can be made on a 3D printer.
3D printing is a well-established part of the auto industry. Some will say it has been transformative. As capabilities improve and the cost of 3D printing continues to go down, both automakers, auto body repair companies and suppliers are increasingly relying on 3D printing to shorten product development cycles. They are also using this technology to test parts earlier, cut down on prototype costs, diminish mechanical failures, and test new ways of raising fuel efficiency.