3D Printing of Metal Parts applications in Vehicle industry

3D Printing of Metal Parts applications in Vehicle industry

The application of metal 3D printing technology in automobile manufacturing is mainly divided into four aspects: powertrain, chassis system, interior and exterior.

1. Powertrain

Using metal 3D printing technology to make conceptual models and functional prototypes can help automotive designers and engineers verify the design of clutches and other engine components in the early stages of product development.

Compared with traditional methods, metal 3D printing technology can greatly save design verification time and minimize the cost of design errors. European sports car manufacturer Lamborghini used metal 3D printing to make engine pipes for its sports cars, achieving the creation of complex geometric structures in a very short time.

2. Chassis

Production and assembly tools and functional testing are two of the more common applications of metal 3D printing in the development and production of automotive chassis systems. Lamborghini also uses engineering-grade thermoplastics to produce high-strength car chassis prototypes, and uses high-performance engineering plastics to customize assembly tools.

3. Exterior

Leading companies in the automotive industry use metal 3D printing technology, including fixtures, end-use parts and functional prototypes, to simplify the production cycle of automotive exteriors, reduce the weight of automotive manufacturing tools, and reduce production costs. Applications include: bumpers, Fenders, headlights and car logos are among many other automotive exterior parts.

For example, 3D printing has become an indispensable technological means in the development cycle of BMW. The company's tooling and fixture department uses 3D printing to make tooling and fixtures for automobile assembly and testing. Through lightweight design, the production efficiency has been greatly improved.

4. Interior

3D printing can print a variety of materials with different mechanical properties at one time. This feature is widely used by manufacturers in the product design and R&D evaluation of automotive interior components, including: dashboards, air-conditioning exhaust fans, steering wheels, Parts composed of various materials and processes, such as car joysticks, can be prototyped using metal 3D printing.

Compared with traditional manufacturing methods, on the one hand, the design cost can be reduced; on the other hand, the shape and material properties of the product can be accurately restored, and it can be evaluated in all aspects and modified quickly, thereby accelerating the time to market of the product.