Automakers and consumers alike are benefiting from 3DP’s transformative powers

August 11, 2021—New York, NY—Shapeways, a leading global digital manufacturing platform driven by proprietary software, and Forward AM, the BASF printing solutions brand, recently held a webinar "Driving Advances in Automotive." Below are five takeaways from that session that highlight how 3D printing is shaping the future of the automotive industry.

1. The automotive industry continues to be a 3DP leader
According to Wohlers Associates' "The State of 3D printing 2020" survey, automotive represents the top user segment of additive manufacturing. 3D printing has proven it can improve manufacturing speed and agility in making prototypes, proof-of-concept models, production aids, and even final production parts.

2. Functional prototyping and production parts gain traction with 3DP
For several decades, automakers have used 3DP to create design prototypes for proof-of-concept and/or testing. Of late, creating functional prototypes has become more commonplace. 3D-printed parts are being refined into production parts that meet the industry's strict form-and-fit tolerances. The Wohlers survey revealed that 49% of respondents are producing production-quality components.

But prototyping is just the tip of the spear in driving 3DP adoption in automotive. Using 3DP to manufacture production parts helps automakers improve their materials usage while reducing scrap and wasted parts. The growing impact of 3DP also empowers auto manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint.

3. Customization & 3DP: Only limited by your imagination
The market for customized aftermarket parts and accessories is very competitive and crowded. At the same time, automakers increasingly understand that embracing customization will increase customers' satisfaction and loyalty to their brands.

Imagine 3D-printed seating options that specifically cater to drivers' and passengers' orthopedic needs. Special-fitting headrests and seats can be produced using 3D-printed foams. 3DP excels in applications that involve intricate latticework designs as well as heating and cooling capabilities that improve occupants' driving experience.

4. Gigantic parts warehouses will no longer be necessary; print parts instead
Vehicle manufacturers and their multiple parts manufacturing partners must maintain gigantic, multi-location warehouses to store a seemingly endless supply of parts and accessories. The ability to replace and reduce much of that square footage in the name of a digital inventory is another advantage of 3DP, along with heightened degrees of supply chain optimization and reduced need for expensive tooling

Not only does 3DP reduce the physical need for costly and vast warehousing, the process can be set up virtually anywhere, putting parts acquisition much closer to the end-customer, reducing time-to-delivery. 3DP also represents a great opportunity for owners of vintage or rare vehicles, where parts may have limited availability or are permanently out-of-stock.

5. Down the road: fully 3D-printed vehicles

There are enormous changes underway in the automotive market as traditional dealerships no longer are seen as dominant and an increasing number of consumers are buying vehicles online or from non-traditional outlets. At the same time, there is relentless competition among auto manufacturers to deliver electronic vehicles that are safer, smarter, lighter and more energy efficient. 3DP's strengths in creating honeycomb-style parts go a long way toward making vehicles that are lighter and therefore require less energy to operate.
Shapeways experts are available to share additional insights on tips, technologies and solutions for what's down the road in the automotive industry.

About Shapeways
Shapeways' digital manufacturing platform offers customers access to high quality manufacturing from start to finish through automation, innovation and digitization. The company's purpose-built software, wide selection of materials and technologies, and global supply chain lower manufacturing barriers and speed delivery of quality products. Shapeways' digital manufacturing services have empowered more than one million customers worldwide to produce more than 21 million parts using 11 different technologies and 90 different materials and finishes. Headquartered in New York City, Shapeways has ISO 9001-compliant manufacturing facilities in Long Island City, N.Y., and the Netherlands and a network of innovative partners around the globe. It was founded in 2008 and spun-out of the Lifestyle Incubator of Royal Philips Electronics in 2010. Investors include Lux Capital, Union Square Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, INKEF Capital, Index Ventures and Hewlett Packard Ventures.