Lighter, Cheaper Parts with 3D Printing: Why Is GM Willing to Bet on It?

No one can deny that 3D printing is the future. Right now 3D printing is shaking up the market and meeting more and more business needs.

• Using 3D printers and 3D scanners to restore everyday objects <<

• A CAR made with 3D printing | 3D printer news <<

VietTimes — General Motors (GM) says it is working with design software company Autodesk Inc to move toward producing lightweight car parts made with new 3D printing technology. The goal is to help the automaker add alternative-fuel vehicles to its lineup.

>> 3D PRINTERS <<

Last year, General Motors (GM) announced an ambitious plan to add 20 electric or hydrogen fuel cell models to its global lineup by 2023. GM CEO Mary Barra has promised investors that the company will make money selling EVs by 2021. For consumers, worry about the limited range of electric cars is still a major barrier to wide adoption. So making the car lighter improves energy efficiency, which in turn extends its range. Last week, GM showed a stainless steel seat bracket made with 3D printing, designed with technology developed by Autodesk. The system uses cloud computing and AI-based algorithms to quickly generate designs for replacement parts.

  With conventional methods, this part would usually need up to 8 components and several suppliers. With the new technology, the seat bracket is a single part that looks like a mix of abstract art and something from a science fiction movie. It is 40% lighter and 20% stronger than the traditionally made part. GM’s rival Ford Motor also says it is testing 3D printing on mass-production models. GM has used 3D printers to make prototypes for years. But Kevin Quinn, GM’s director of additive design and manufacturing, wants these new 3D printed parts to appear on sports and luxury models. Within the next 5 years, GM hopes to produce thousands or even tens of thousands of parts as the technology keeps improving.

• SURPRISING – what a 3D printer can do! <<

• Industrial 3D printers | Industrial-grade SLA 3D printers <<

• When will affordable metal 3D printers become common in Vietnam? <<

In the long run, Quinn says 3D printed parts will cut tooling costs, reduce the amount of material used and reduce the number of parts suppliers and logistics services needed. Bob Yancey, manufacturing director at Autodesk, says 3D printing-based manufacturing is pushing toward mass production and working to solve what is called the “repeatability and robustness” of parts. With the technology moving so fast, GM is placing a big bet on 3D printing under heavy pressure. The company believes that success with lightweight parts made this way could be a game changer for the EV industry in the years ahead.

>> AFFORDABLE 3D PRINTERS<<

Source: Ngo Minh/ Viettimes

Contact CT3D Group

CT3D Group – professional 3D printing, 3D scanning, 3D design and rapid prototyping services nationwide.

• CT3D Thu Duc – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong: in3d.edu.vn – Hotline 0975 008 728 (Mr. Thai)
• CT3D District 6 – Ho Chi Minh City: 3dmaker.vn – Hotline 038 7798308 (Mr. Phuc)

Frequently asked questions

Why is the auto industry so interested in 3D printing?

3D printing makes fast prototypes, cuts tooling costs for low-volume parts and allows light parts with complex shapes. This matters most for electric vehicles, where every kilogram saved affects driving range.

Can 3D printing replace traditional car production lines?

Not completely. Today 3D printing fits best for prototypes, jigs and fixtures, low-volume parts and luxury cars. High-volume production still relies mostly on casting, stamping and injection molding.

What are the benefits of combining several parts into one with 3D printing?

Fewer components means fewer assembly steps, fewer potential failure points and a simpler supply chain. A one-piece part is also often lighter and stiffer.

How can auto parts suppliers in Vietnam use 3D printing?

Practical uses include printing prototypes for fit tests, printing inspection fixtures for the line, printing low-volume replacement parts and making patterns for casting molds. These steps are easy to start and show results quickly.

Related services at CT3D Group

• On-demand 3D printing service
• High-accuracy 3D scanning service
• Custom 3D design service
• CT3D Group network: ct3dgroup.com · in3d.edu.vn – Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728