3D printing uses CAD software to deposit material that helps prototypes to design models. It helps to reduce manufacturing and prototyping costs. There are 3 types of 3D printing. First is Stereolithography(SLA). Charles Hull invented stereolithography. SLA is used in a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic. The second one, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), are a kind of 3D printers that sinter small particles of polymer powder into solid structures using a powerful laser. The third one called the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is a 3D printing technology that is popularly used in the automotive industry.
3D printing incorporates the use of moulds and thermoforming tools,along with grips, jigs, and fixtures. Metal, ceramic, and polymer are the materials that are widely used in 3D printing. The first electric car to be completely built using 3D printing is a brand called Strati, developed by Local Motors. 3D printing gives the ability to do rapid prototyping and improved production of automotive parts. 3D printing’s work flow is comparatively slow for mass production but the design process is swift because of the lesser time in development of prototype parts. This is extremely beneficial for small scale automotive industries because it reduces the manufacturing cost and time to market, making it easier to sell. Along with design flexibility, 3D printing allows for swift prototyping of products and at the same time does not need much space for stock inventory. This leads to lower costs, lesser wastage and cheaper capital spend.
3D printing has the potential to replace the CNC machine and reduce the capital investment while increasing efficiency. 3D printed plastic parts are low cost, and the production time is also less.
One of the automotive German company used additive technology to manufacture automotive parts. This company choosen Laser Beam Melting (LBM) method to produced the automotive parts. 3D printing used by the company for tooling and safety for example gloves they use to finish off the stoppers for drain holes. Another company used this technology One of the Sweden company using automotive 3D printing for tooling and supply chain management. This technology usefull to this company because the supply of company’s machines with production plastic parts.
Future of 3D printing in automotive industry This technology not only used in automotive industry using this different departments such as manufacturing, construction, medical, aerospace many more. The 3D printing will be bigger, faster and low cost because this technology are developing suddenly and working speed also high. In future days 3D printing adopted in a wider range of industries.additive manufacturing is the part of supply chain approach then interaction between different systems to increase the potential 3D printing.
Global 3D printing market 2022-2027: exploring the growth in automotive 3D printing market.Increasing the investments by OEMs reducing cost and increasing the production of automotive parts. In manufacturing process part of the OEMs investments in 3D printing. 3D printing materials cost is higher than bulk resin or powder counterparts. Due to the scarcity of 3D printing material suppliers, customers are forced to purchase proprietary material from big players, resulting in high costs. Progress of 3D printing applications in various fields are medical, aerospace, healthcare, consumer products, and automotive. The most of companies investing 3d printing production parts. This technology working in various departments such as software and hardware. In hardware segment 3D printing working in manufactures to leading the markets. In starting phase low production of electric vehicles then modify to working procedure using 3D printing technology to increase the production of electric vehicles to improve the economically and efficiently. European 3D Printing market enlarging the electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles production in future days. Europe’s technology used in additive manufacturing for the developing prototypes, tooling and automotive production parts.
3D printed automotive vehicle cost is approximately USD 7500 dollars depending on which material used in vehicle. The 3D printed car finshed takes time at 48 hr along its components.
Blog By Kavitha N D
