With 3D printers, automakers can drive in-house innovation by prototyping, iterating, and manufacturing end-use parts quicker than ever.
3D Printing in Automotive
Car designers and production engineers work together to achieve the perfect design of a car, which requires a harmonized combination of aesthetics and functional requirements. Generally, it takes several years to turn a design concept of a new car model into an actual product available to the market.
Explore some common applications
Custom Interior End-use Parts
Our large format 3D printing solutions are used to produce custom automotive interior parts, including:
- Dashboards
- Center consoles
- Headliners
- Glove boxes
- Door Panels, trim, pockets
- Speaker panels
- Vents
- Steering wheels
Prototyping
With 3D printing, you’ll streamline product development by rapidly prototyping several iterations. Reduce your time to market by removing external bottlenecks and verify designs by testing throughout development with high-strength functional parts.
Tooling, Jigs and Fixtures
With 3D printing, you’ll eliminate toolmaking bottlenecks by manufacturing crucial production equipment like jigs and fixtures in house for fast, affordable, and efficient operations.
Exhaust Manifolds
With 3D printing, automotive engineers can create custom inlet or intake manifolds to supply a fuel and air mixture to the engine’s cylinders.
Airless Tires
By using semi-flexible plastic filament, such as TPU, you can produce custom airless tires that meet safety requirements.
Popular 3D printers used by specialists in the industry
BigRep
Intamsys
UltiMaker
ETEC
Desktop Metal
BigRep STUDIO.2
The BigRep STUDIO.2 is a durable, cost-effective partner for innovation and industrial production that makes manufacturing high-quality, large-format parts easy. With a sleek, space-conscious body, perfect for the production of factory tooling in any setting, the STUDIO.2 is optimal for any workspace - from the office to the factory floor.
BigRep PRO.2
The BigRep PRO.2 is a large-format industrial 3D printer that is designed to create high-quality and detailed prints at a large scale. It has a build volume of one-cubic-meter and is capable of printing with a variety of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, PC, Carbon Fiber and more. The printer is also equipped with advanced features such as a heated build platform and a filament monitoring system to ensure the best possible print quality.
Supported by its Precision Motions Portal, a durable, custom-built gantry, along with Bosch Rexroth CNC components, the PRO consistently delivers on speed, precision, and quality. Now thanks to JUMPSTART, a new BigRep hybrid software-hardware solution that lets you skip the hassle and just start printing, the PRO is easier than ever to use.
Intamsys FUNMAT PRO 310
The latest addition to Intamsys functional materials (FUNMAT) 3D printer series, the FUNMAT PRO 310. This new professional FFF 3D printer is engineered to print with engineering-grade materials, delivering flexibility and ease of use to engineers and small businesses. It boasts a thermostatic chamber and a large build volume, providing incredible print quality while reducing potential errors or flaws. The printer can be equipped with an independently sealed drying filament box with a reusable molecular sieve, keeping humidity from impacting the quality of filament.
Intamsys FUNMAT PRO 610HT
The Intamsys Funmat Pro 610HT is a 3D printer capable of printing high-temperature materials like PEEK and ULTEM. It has a large build volume of 610 x 508 x 508 mm, an enclosed heated chamber, and a dual extruder system. This makes it ideal for industrial and manufacturing purposes that require the use of engineering-grade plastics.
Intamsys FUNMAT PRO 410
Intamsys' Funmat Pro 410 3D printer is the perfect choice for engineers, manufacturers, and anyone in need of high-quality, industrial-grade 3D printing capabilities. With a spacious build volume of 305 x 305 x 406mm and the ability to print with high-temperature filaments, this printer can produce parts that are durable, precise, and ready for real-world use. Its advanced features, such as a heated build chamber and automatic bed leveling, make it easy to use and reliable.
Intamsys FUNMAT HT Enhanced
The Intamsys Funmat HT Enhanced is an unmatched professional-grade 3D printer that is designed to print high-performance materials such as PEEK, PPSU, and other high-temperature thermoplastics. With its advanced features and capabilities, the Funmat HT is the ideal choice for engineers, researchers, and manufacturers who require precision and reliability in their 3D printing applications.
UltiMaker S7 Pro Bundle
The S7 Pro Bundle takes the new S7 flagship model from UltiMaker and combines it with the Material Handling Station to create a professional desktop 3D printing powerhouse. Evolving from the UltiMaker S5, the S7 offers an integrated Air Manager, an upgraded print head, an enhanced build stack with a flexible build plate, and improved insulation. The Material Station provides automatic material handling while also storing up to six spools of filament at optimal conditions to ensure the most reliable 3D printing experience to date.
UltiMaker S7
The S7 is the latest flagship model from UltiMaker improving on all that made the S5 successful, now with an integrated Air Manager, an upgraded print head, an enhanced build stack with a flexible build plate, and improved insulation for the most reliable 3D printing experience to date. Add the Material Station to make an S7 Pro Bundle and take professional 3D printing productivity to the next level.
UltiMaker S5 Pro Bundle
The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle consists of the S5 printer combined with the Air Manager and Material Station add-ons. The easy-to-use and industrially capable S5 Pro Bundle delivers an automated professional 3D printing experience. The Air Manager provides efficient air filtering and helps maintain a stable printing temperature, while the Material Station offers automatic material handling and humidity control to keep 3D printing materials in optimal conditions. Together, these features unlock 24/7 productivity and demanding applications with an extended range of materials.
UltiMaker S5
The UltiMaker S5 offers all of the best-in-class technical specs that the S3 provides, such as dual extrusion, an intuitive touchscreen, remote printing, 200+ material compatibility, all with a larger build volume. Additionally, the S5 offers optional add-ons such as the Air Manager for air filtration and the Material Handling Station, combined which make up the S5 Pro Bundle to provide a complete 3D printing solution capable of running continuously while maximizing uptime.
UltiMaker S3
The UltiMaker S3 is a professional desktop 3D printer that offers an award-winning touchscreen, remote printing, and dual extrusion capabilities. This open-material system combined with intuitive software integration optimizes productivity for various applications across industries.
UltiMaker 2+ Connect
The Ultimaker 2+ Connect improves on the workhorse legacy of it's predecessor with a new touchscreen and remote printing capabilities. A clean and updated design keeps maintenance to a minimum – just 20 minutes per month, without the need for special tools. Switch out swappable nozzles in less than 5 minutes for high uptime, from 0.25 mm for detailed prints up to 0.8 mm for fast drafts or 3D sketches. Add the 2+ Connect Air Manager for air quality peace-of-mind.
ETEC Xtreme 8K
The Xtreme 8K makes volume production of 3D-printed parts a reality, with the ability to print thousands of parts per day. With wide material compatibility, including hard plastics, high-temperature plastics, elastomers and rubbers, the Xtreme 8K enables the production of the broadest possible range of parts.
The Xtreme 8K leverages long-chain polymer chemistry to create fully-isotropic, stable, end-use parts, and features a heated vat, allowing users to process highly viscous and solid materials at room temperatures.
ETEC Envision One
The Envision One is a highly advanced 3D printer designed to produce high-quality and precise prints. It utilizes advanced DLP technology that can cure the entire layer of the resin at once, allowing for faster and more efficient printing. With a large build volume and fast print speeds, this 3D printer is perfect for professionals who require high precision and speed in their 3D printing projects.
DM Studio System 2
Unlike laser-based systems that selectively melt metal powder, the Studio System extrudes bound metal rods—similar to how an FDM printer works. This eliminates many of the safety requirements often associated with metal 3D printing while enabling new features like the use of fully closed-cell infill for lightweight strength.