7 ways 3D printing can innovate the automotive industry

Published in

3D Printing Buzz

5 min readJun 23, 2015

Automotive industry is competitive, and innovation is the core of development. Additive manufacturing, a.k.a. 3D printing has already been an old and reliable friend to automakers for years. Using the ability of faster prototyping, 3D printing was introduced to automotive production. In general, it’s a money saver. While for most players in this field, time is even more valuable. Cutting the production cycle while ensuring the accuracy and functionality with less cost, it sounds just perfect.

As the technology itself grows in techniques and materials, its applications expand to more and more fields. For most auto producers, 3D printing is highly expected besides its prototyping roles.

Two benefits: better customization and prototyping

The superstar of Local Motors, a 3D printed urban car called the Strati applied 3D printing for making the outfits in big parts with carbon fiber mixed with ABS. This material looks plastic-ish, but it is in fact very strong for an urban car.

Parts in smaller amounts and bigger size will in theory also reduce assembling time. However, what Local Motors really wants to bring into the car manufacturing is the high customization and customer-engagement. This is what 3D printing featured in other industries as well.

source: Local Motors

The other significant power-up of 3D printing is its fast, cost-efficient prototyping ability. This is the way how 3D printing is already heavily used in car manufactory for decades. BMW already adopted 3D printing in Germany when the technology was only a few years old.

During the design process, 3D printing is able to make tangible models for designers and engineers to test, which is way faster than the old injecting model methods, and cheaper. Automakers are able to print out and test several designs at the same time and make small improvements every time.

Here we show you 7 ways we think 3D printing can drive the automotive manufacturing onto new roads.

1. Prototype in design process

3D printing allows more creativities and designs at once, cheaper, faster, and with a solid tangible prototype to fulfill agronomical testing needs.

source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

See-through model for testing: it allows designer to check how everything inside working, such as oil flows, parts durability and synchronization.

Source: Urbee

For production, simpler parts with lighter structure are also made possible by 3D printing. However, due to its small volume feature, whether it will largely influence car design still remains to be seen.

2. Concept car and customization car

Concept cars generally have complicated design shapes and small production volume. Therefore, 3D printing is the best solution. For customizations, 3D printing will make good use of its flexible design possibility.

source: Mercedes

The new Mercedes S-Class interior is going to use 3D printing to make inner parts for end products instead of just prototypes.

3. Aftermarket customization service: Personal interior design and products

We are expecting a big market for this usage. Small items for personalized interior design, current technology and material are available for this purpose. As more people are able to own cars in some fast-developing countries such as China, customization needs will rise.

source: i. materialize, Citroën GT

4. Replacement parts for vantage or unique cars

For hard to find parts or parts are not produced anymore, it’s the perfect solution.

There are also replica of vintage cars. This replica of Shelby Cobra is 3D printed and electronic. It took only 6 weeks from concept to final product.

source: energy.gov

5. Future: more efficient car repair service

Not only rare parts, this application can be extended: why not use it for current cars as well? Fit-in-perfect repair treatment, faster solution for local maintenance service and reduction of transportation and storage, the three top reasons that some automotive companies are counting on this technology.

source: kul3d

6. Racing cars development

Racing cars development like F1 requires many times of prototype testing, 3DP offers a faster and cheaper while better way rather than traditional manufacturing. F1 is already a member of 3D printing fan club.

source: Sahara Force India

7. Highly customizable city cars in the future (like Local Motors)

Local Motors wants to initiate the new customizing car services and customer experiences. Their platforms for crowd funding ideas are gathering global talents and passions for car designs.