3D-printing in the automotive industry

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is of great importance in the design and manufacture of automobiles. The number of applications for 3D printing in manufacturing continues to expand on an annual basis. In the recent past, 3D printing was primarily utilized for the fabrication of prototypes. However, there has been a notable shift in the automotive manufacturing sector, with an increasing number of manufacturers adopting the technology for the production of significant automotive components. Additive manufacturing is employed to create design iterations, improve quality through cost-effective prototyping, and produce custom tooling parts. However, there are other areas of 3D-printing in the automotive industry that are more radically transforming products and supply chains. Additive technologies and the new materials used enable the creation of various combinations, both for producing parts with increased strength characteristics and for using soft materials in the interior of the cabin. Additive manufacturing aims to improve manufacturing processes and produce high-quality products in a short time. This article describes the main trends in the integration of 3D-printing technologies into the design and manufacturing processes of cars across various classes and companies. The main purpose of this article is to highlight the key aspects of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry. The use of these trends opens up new opportunities in the automotive industry of Kazakhstan.