3d Printing in the Automotive Industry

Transform Automotive Manufacturing Without Touching a Part

In the automotive industry, there are thousands of parts unique to each vehicle, and a uniquely designed jig, fixture or tool to create each one. Launch dates are fixed, budgets are tightly controlled, and proven processes are difficult and expensive to change. Yet every year, automotive engineers are tasked with making cars that advance fuel efficiency, performance, safety and aesthetics at minimal cost. Something's gotta give. The Essentium HSE 180 3D Printing Platform is a low-cost alternative that can be used for 3D printing in the automotive industry in order to quickly produce virtually all of the jigs, fixtures and tools for next year's models right on the factory floor. Plus, Essentium provides a wide range of high-performance filaments using the same materials employed during production for fast, accurate prototyping and end-use part production without surprises. Transform how cars are made without touching a part with Essentium additive manufacturing technology.

Key Applications

Tooling

Tooling

Save time and money. Create large, highly accurate molds, iterate on the fly, and print them in a matter of days for pennies on the dollar compared to traditional tooling methods.

Jigs & Fixtures

Jigs & Fixtures

Save space and free up CNC machines while iterating parts faster than ever before with complete freedom of design for improved speed to production.

3D Printed Manufacturing Aids

Rapid Prototyping

Eliminate test molds and shots while going beyond form and fit testing. Use additive manufacturing to print a prototype using high-performance materials ready for function testing.

The HSE 180•ST 3D Printer

Essentium's High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 3D Printer is designed for industrial production and performs to the level required in the most demanding manufacturing environments. Offering class-leading print speeds greater than 500 mm/sec by utilizing a non-slip, high torque extrusion system and all linear servo motors X-Y stage, the Essentium HSE 180 3D Printing Platform is the right solution for your application.

The HSE 180•ST 3D Printer uses non-marring ESD-safe and nylon materials that are ideally suited for mold tooling, jigs and fixtures, end use parts and other important applications within the automotive and transportation industries.

The HSE 180S
3d printing automotive background

Recommended Automotive Materials

Essentium PP-CF

Essentium PP-CF has excellent chemical resistance and low surface energy which makes it useful for silicone and urethane low pressure molding applications.

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Essentium ABS MG94

Essentium ABS MG94 filament made with SABIC CYCOLACTM MG94 resin is a premium grade of ABS designed for high speed prints with excellent surface finish and balanced mechanical properties.

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ESSENTIUM TPU 58D-AS

Essentium’s TPU 58D-AS is an industry-first ESD safe and anti-static 58D Shore hardness thermoplastic polyurethane filament that is available in a variety of colors.

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Why Essentium?

Implementing design changes can be costly and time-consuming – luxuries the automotive industry cannot afford – especially given the lag time in outsourced tooling while moving through multiple iterations of hundreds of parts. The Essentium HSE 180•ST 3D Printer delivers the speed, size and material versatility to handle the production of up to 85% of all the jigs and fixtures required to assemble a vehicle. In fact the HSE 180•ST 3D Printer has a build area large enough to fit every part of a car except the hood and fender. No other manufacturing option gives engineers the ability to design a part in the morning and have a prototype on their desk by the afternoon. Designed for reliability at scale, the HSE 180•ST 3D Printer reduces the turnaround time and cost of your next automotive innovation.

Request A Quote

Request a quote of Essentium's unique 3D printing technologies today.