3D Printing set to change automotive production

As a result, 3D printing could offer substantial savings to manufacturers, suppliers and even consumers.

The report titled, Executive Analysis of 3-D Printing in the Automotive Industry, finds innovative materials will help augment the operational efficiency of 3-D printers.

The application scope of 3-D printing technology is currently restricted to the production of extremely low volume parts and production tooling. This is mainly due to the high costs of the machinery and raw materials, slow printing speeds and reduced levels of software optimization.

Therefore, with a drop in material and machine prices, advanced software integration and faster printing, 3-D printing could potentially revolutionize automotive production, supply chain and the aftermarket.

According to Frost & Sullivan Mobility Research Analyst Viroop Narla, even though cheaper raw materials and technological enhancements will boost the uptake of 3-D printers, issues such as patent liability, product defects and patent infringement will persist.

Furthermore, comprehensive training as well as expensive data and communications systems, will be required to maximize 3-D printers’ operational efficiency, decrease data loss, minimize corruption and theft.

Currently, new companies such as, Carbon3D, are developing novel 3-D printing technologies and partnering with established companies like Ford, in order to achieve technological advancements and shrink development times.

3-D printing technology will allow original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers to print at multiple locations, thereby diminishing waiting periods and overall costs. Ultimately, this technology will also enable users to design and print customized parts, in line with each customer’s requirements.

In 2015, 90 percent of 3-D printing applications in the automotive industry were for prototyping and 10 percent for production. However, there could be a turnaround in this ratio with a 40 percent fall in price difference of raw materials (plastics and polymers) used by conventional manufacturing and 3-D printing.

“Innovative materials such as carbon fiber, metal powders and titanium are expected to radically improve the mechanical, chemical and thermal characteristics of printed products,” observed Narla.

Narla added, “Additionally, machines with a focus on quality and better manufacturing processes will lower post-processing requirements by generating products with superior tolerances and surface finish details.”