Automotive
companies have been leveraging 3D printing technologies for quite some
time to drive innovation and curtail costs. Initially, 3D printing
technologies were used by automotive companies for rapid prototyping.
But many automotive manufacturers these days incorporate 3D printing
into every process and function. Also, many automotive companies have
announced their plan to launch 3D-printed cars in the near future.
According to FutureWise Market Research & Reports, “The
global automotive 3D printing market is expected to value over US $ 3
Billion by 2027 end and register a CAGR of 26.1% during the forecast
period, 2020 to 2027. The automotive industry is incorporating 3D
printing into almost all of its processes and functions, right from
designing prototypes, manufacturing, concept designing, to end-to-end
repairs.”
The
forecast report depicts the growing significance of 3D printing
technologies for the automotive industry. The common applications of 3D
printing for the automotive industry include accelerating production,
reducing turnaround time, and curtailing operational costs. But
automotive companies have been creating new use cases regularly by
applying and leveraging 3D printing technologies innovatively. We are
highlighting some of the exciting and innovative automotive 3D printing
applications.
9 Exciting Use Cases and Applications of 3D Printing for Automotive Industry
1) Launching 3D-Printed Vehicles
Most vehicles these days contain a variety of 3D-printed parts and components. But anautomotive company has already launched the world’s first 3D-printed car. According to EnduranceWarranty.com, “Local Motors’ solution to changing the way we make cars is the ‘Strati,’ the world’s first 3D-printed car. It’s a humble, yet uniquely sleek-looking machine. It was built, or rather, printed in Detroit, in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.” The customers will soon have the option to choose from conventional and 3D-printed vehicles while visiting a local dealership.
2) Driving Vehicle Electrification
The growing demand for greener transportation options has made it essential for automotive companies to accelerate the electrification of vehicles. But no automotive company can electrify vehicles only by leveraging cutting-edge electric technologies. It has to focus extensively on focus on designing new lightweight components. 3D printing technologies enable engineers to design and evaluate lightweight components by facilitating overnight prototyping. Also, they can make changes to the prototypes regularly to reduce the overall weight of the electric vehicle.
3) Designing Connected Vehicles
The connected cars communicate and interact with a variety of nearby devices using both embedded and portable communication systems. Most connected cars are designed with complex components like antennas and sensors. The traditional manufacturing technologies keep sensors separated from the vehicles. But automotive companies leverage 3D printing technologies to create connected vehicles with embedded sensors. The embedded sensors make the vehicle gather data reliably. Also, engineers can save both time and resources by 3D-printing the sensors and antennas.
4) Accelerating Prototyping Process
3D printing technologies enable automotive companies to accelerate prototyping and concept designing. Engineers can combine appropriate 3D printing technology and filament to convert design concepts and ideas into physical prototypes. 3D printing further helps engineers to evaluate concept designs without increasing filament usage and wastage. Leading automotive companies invest in high-end 3D printers to obtain and evaluate convincing proofs of concepts in a few hours.
5) Creating Custom and Complex Parts
The conventional manufacturing methods increase the overall cost of producing custom and complex parts hugely. But automakers can save both time and cost by 3D-printing custom and complex parts. One of the common applications of 3D printing for the automotive industry is the creation of custom and complex car parts on demand without sacrificing functionality and performance. Most automotive companies these days 3D-print car parts to abandon and transform conventional manufacturing methods.
6) 3D-Printing Spare and General Parts
The flexible nature of 3D printing enables engineers to experiment with a wide variety of hardware and filament. Also, engineers can easily curtail costs by reducing material consumption and cost. That is why; automotive companies these days 3D-print a variety of spare parts and general parts. They minimize the dependence on the supply chain by 3D-printing spare parts on demand. At the same time, they leverage 3D printing technologies to assemble multiple parts or components into a single part.
7) Manufacturing Tools Internally
Earlier, automotive companies were outsourcing the production of manufacturing aids and tools to save both time and resources. But the dependence on machining service providers made it difficult for automakers to speed up time-to-market. 3D printing technologies create opportunities for automakers to produce tools and manufacturing aids internally. The automotive companies can further control the production process without escalating costs. They can further experiment with 3D printing filaments to manufacture innovative tools and replace metal components with plastic components.
8) Driving Sales of Classic and Vintage Cars
According to Bloomberg.com, “From Bentley to BMW, Polestar to Porsche, new-car sales have slumped in 2020. Sales of classic cars, on the other hand, have remained positively stable.” But no automotive company can boost the sale of classic cars and vintage cars without ensuring the supply of components and spare parts. 3D printing technologies enable automakers to support the low-volume production of parts for vintage and out-of-production cars on demand. The leading automakers already leverage 3D printing to supply rare spare parts in both metal and plastic on demand.
9) Supporting Customization and Personalization
Many
buyers these days customize and personalize vehicles by availing of a
variety of aftermarket parts and services. Many automakers already
attract and impress buyers by providing them with many personalization
and customization options. They leverage 3D printing technologies to
customize vehicles as well as personalize the experience. The leading
automobile manufacturers allow customers to customize vehicles by
ordering 3D-printed parts and panels. The buyers also have the option to
make the vehicle stand out from the crowd by choosing from a wide range
of colors and patterns.
3D printing service providers
have the potential to transform the automotive industry by facilitating
the electrification of vehicles. The customers will soon have the
option to choose from many 3D-printed cars and vehicles. That is why;
new applications and use cases of 3D printing for the automotive industrywill be created regularly in the future.
Keyword: applications of 3D printing for automotive industry
References
https://all3dp.com/2/coolest-3d-printed-cars/
https://www.endurancewarranty.com/learning-center/news/first-3d-printed-car-makes-debut/
https://formlabs.com/asia/blog/3d-printed-car-how-3d-printing-is-changing-the-automotive-industry/
https://www.3dcastor.com/post/the-best-applications-of-3d-printing-in-the-automotive-industry
https://archer-soft.com/blog/how-3d-printing-used-automotive-industry
https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/automotive-3d-printing-applications/#applications
https://amfg.ai/2019/05/28/7-exciting-examples-of-3d-printing-in-the-automotive-industry/
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