3D printing technology promises to make cars cheaper. New 3D printing technology also makes cars lighter, uses less material and brings many other performance gains.

Will 3D printing make cars cheaper and lighter?

US carmaker General Motors (GM) says it is working with design software company Autodesk Inc to produce lightweight car parts made with new 3D printing technology. This will help it reach its goal of adding alternative-fuel vehicles to its lineup.

3d printing technology — A Chevrolet Bolt EV on the assembly line at GM’s Orion plant in Michigan, USA, on March 19, 2018 (Photo: Reuters)

With science and technology moving fast, GM is placing a big bet on modern 3D printing. The company believes that success in making cheaper, lighter car parts with this technology will help change the electric vehicle industry in the future. GM recently showed a stainless steel seat bracket made with a 3D printer, designed with software developed by Autodesk. The software uses cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to quickly generate designs for car parts. With conventional technology, this part usually needs 8 components and several suppliers. With the new technology, the seat bracket is a single piece that looks like a mix of abstract art and something out of a sci-fi movie. Compared with the traditionally designed part, the new one is 40% lighter and 20% stiffer. Buyers worry about how far an electric car can go on each charge, and this is holding back wider adoption. Making the car lighter improves energy efficiency and extends what the car can do. GM has used 3D printing technology for many years to make prototypes. But according to Kevin Quinn, GM’s director of additive design and manufacturing, 3D printing will also be used for sports and luxury models. Within the next 5 years, GM hopes to produce thousands, even tens of thousands, of parts if these technologies keep improving. “This is our master key. This is where we want to go,” Kevin Quinn stressed.

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In the long run, Quinn said, 3D-printed parts will cut tooling costs for molds, reduce the amount of material used and reduce the number of parts suppliers and logistics services. Last year, GM announced an ambitious plan to add 20 electric and fuel cell models to its global lineup by 2023. GM CEO Mary Barra has also promised investors that the company will make money selling electric cars by 2021. Gia Bao Source: Reuters/Dan Tri.

>> Lighter, cheaper parts with 3D printing: why is GM willing to bet on it?

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CT3D Thu Duc – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong: in3d.edu.vn – Hotline 0975 008 728 (Mr. Thai)
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Frequently asked questions

Why can 3D-printed parts be lighter than conventionally made parts?

3D printing can create hollow, lattice or organic ribbed shapes that stamping, casting and welding struggle to make. Combined with generative design, material is placed only where loads are carried, so weight drops while stiffness stays.

Will 3D printing fully replace mass car production lines?

Not yet. At very high volumes, casting, stamping and injection molding still cost less per part. 3D printing is strongest today for prototypes, jigs and fixtures, low-volume parts, high-performance cars and parts that merge many components into one.

How does generative design work?

Engineers enter requirements such as loads, mounting points, material and production method, and the software uses algorithms to propose many optimized shapes. Engineers then choose and refine the best option before it is made.

Where can the car and motorbike industry in Vietnam use 3D printing?

Companies can use 3D printing for plastic body panel prototypes, interior parts, inspection fixtures, spare parts for older vehicles and master patterns for molds. Combined with 3D scanning, it shortens product development a lot.

What do I need to prepare to 3D print a car part sample?

You need a 3D file (STEP, STL) or a physical part to scan, plus your requirements for strength, operating temperature and accuracy. Contact CT3D via Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728 or contact@ct3dgroup.com for advice on the right technology and material.

Related services at CT3D Group

On-demand 3D printing service
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