Which Car Brands Use 3D Printing?
From prototypes and parts, to producing best-sellers in the automotive industry, 3D printing has enabled cars to truly evolve for the better. No longer is the 3D printer considered a piece of niche technology, but it has resulted in major success for a litany of car brands.
Which car brands have added value, cut costs, or even expedited their manufacturing processes with 3D printing? Take a look at just some of them below!
Ford
As the company that introduced the world to the car and the assembly line, it’s only right that Ford is still at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of technology. For years, Ford has utilized what 3D printing has to offer, especially in their manufacturing process.
Even more exciting, though, is that Ford is embracing change by offering its customers the ability to modify their vehicles post-purchase with 3D printed add-ons. More specifically, Ford’s Maverick Pickup is letting users be creative with the FITS system; “a series of slots at the rear of the center console and the under-seat storage bins designed to use with accessories.”
Interested in specific Case Studies from our trusted 3D Printer Makers? Take a look at one from Ultimaker, Desktop Metal, and BigRep.
Toyota
The Toyota Corolla is known for its dependability and reliability. Consequently, the Japanese automotive giants turned to 3D printers to get their cars to market sooner.
Ricoh 3D, a 3D printing industry service provider, enlisted their workshop to print and manufacture prototypes for Toyota.
Why? So they could get a better idea on how parts would print, react to conditions, and overall impact their final product.
Volkswagen
What do you get when you mix Germany’s top automotive and automation companies? A perfect marriage of innovation and an increase of production. Both Volkswagen and Siemens have teamed up to implement adhesive in their binder jetting process.
Adoption of this world-class technology is propelling them to move forward and actually make this form of production suitable for many years to come. This is hardly a surprise to those that have taken notice of Volkswagen’s process the past few years.
Why? Many of our 3D maker partners have worked closely with the German giant as of late, specifically Ultimaker in their 2017 Case Study.
Chevrolet
When you think of Chevrolet, what do you think of? The Corvette? The Camaro? The Chevy Silverado? Well, we do too. Not just because they are industry staples, but because those models effectively use the power of 3D printing.
The Racing Team at Chevy, employing 3D printing technology, have equipped their race cars , specifically the Corvette C8.R, INDYCAR, Silverado race truck and NASCAR Camaro, with 3D printed parts.
This has successfully allowed themselves to not only support over 80,000 miles of production, but to take home a whole trophy case worth of awards in the process. Suffice it to say, 3D printing has done its job, and then some.
Kia
Debuting as a concept car in 2016 and finally hitting the market in 2019, the Kia Telluride was able to first be envisioned through 3D printing. In a 2016 press release, the company announced a new model, and was able to display their concept at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.
Their final model features a “steering wheel, dash, and even door panels” that were produced with 3D printing technology.
This may not seem like that big of a deal to some, but their implementation of cutting-edge technology has proved to be very successful for the Telluride, propelling the model to be a best-seller in the United States.
Hyundai
In an effort to embrace new technologies that advance the market-share of electric vehicles and to help combat climate change, Hyundai has established a key relationship with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore to further delve into the true potential of 3D printing.
They aim to do this by establishing top-notch production facilities dedicated to improving their additive manufacturing and giving customers some truly unique options. With customization in mind, Hyundai believes that they will be able to offer their cars to customers on a more personal level, adding specifically tailored functionality.
Additionally, 3D printing is pushing them to cut their time spent on the design cycle drastically. This enables them to reap the reward of huge cost savings which can be reinvested into the company’s daily operations.
Fiat Chrysler
It’s no secret that companies embracing 3D printers are often looking to improve their manufacturing efforts. Unsurprisingly, that’s exactly what Fiat Chrysler is aiming to do.
The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies’ (IAPT) research team along with engineers from Fiat Chrysler teamed up to embrace innovation through 3D printing, creating “a 3D printed suspension part for one of its sports cars.”
Even more exciting is that the Italian-American corporation features high-powdered and prestigious brands like Maserati, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo. We’re certainly excited to see where the brand evolves with their increasingly robust use of 3D printing.
BMW
We don’t know about you, but when we think of a luxurious, modern, and sleek car that’s just begging to be driven, we think of the BMW i8 Roadster. BMW, a leading pioneer in the automotive industry, has constantly been at the forefront of car production.
For over 28 years, the company has been researching and perfecting the use of additive manufacturing. This has not only enabled them to make better looking vehicles, but they have had exceptional measurable results which have produced parts that are lighter and sturdier.
As time progresses, we anticipate BMW to continue leading the way on utilizing 3D printing in the automotive industry, whether it’s in their most premiere models, or along the assembly line.
Audi
When Audi needed a quick solution to replacing and implementing parts in the assembly process, they looked to their team of engineers, who, in turn, looked to their collection of 3D printers.
The printers in their Audi R8 factory in the Böllinger Höfe allow them to custom build parts on a case-by-case basis, and give their engineers immediate feedback on how they will fit and work in their vehicles.
Using CAD technology, they were able to print crucial parts that place key sensors in their vehicles. This has made their production process incredibly seamless and helps to build faster and better.
Aston Martin
When you stumble upon a bump in the road, you better have some confidence in your suspension. In order to increase their performance, British Luxury Sports Car Icon Aston Martin turned to the team at Domin to embrace 3D printing “for the development of a “world-leading” suspension system.”
Aston Martin’s end goal is to achieve implementation of their 3D printed suspension system in their final products through rigorous testing and prototyping in the production process.
From the outside looking in, we have the utmost confidence that the car brand will have success in this venture, considering this is far from the first time they have deployed additive manufacturing.
Lamborghini
When the Italian supercar brand takes on a new technology to produce some of the most stunning vehicles the world has to offer, you should take notice. Their Sián Coupé and Roadster feature modern design through the capabilities of 3D printing, namely in their air ventilation system.
Although they are using the technology in relatively small capacities, we anticipate that they, and other luxury brands, will continue to adopt it in the future. Why? Because additive manufacturing is continually growing and proving its worth among others.
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