Can You 3D Print a Car?

Ford Begins 3D Printing Car Parts

In an effort to make vehicles more affordable and customizable, the engineers at Ford have begun testing with 3D printers to create full-sized car parts.

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Have you ever wondered whether or not you’ll ever be able to print a car using your 3D printer? The answer might just surprise you. The engineers and designers at Ford have partnered with the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D Printer to begin creating full-sized car parts. Ford is the first company to explore this innovative way of making parts in order to produce vehicles that are more affordable and efficient. Because these printed parts will be lighter than regular parts, the engineers at Ford believe they are part of the future of fuel-efficient vehicles.

How 3D Printing Works

In order to 3D print their parts, the engineers at Ford first enter in specifications for the part into a computer in order to transfer them to the computer inside of the printer. The printer then begins creating the part one layer at a time until the object is completed according to the specifications that were entered into the original computer. Because 3D printing can take a while, the 3D printer has a motorized arm that is able to refill the canister whenever the printer is out of material. This allows the printer to run unattended for however long it takes to create a part.

Benefits of 3D Printing

When creating a new part using the traditional method, engineers would first need to create a computer model of the part, and then wait until a prototype is made which could take months. By using 3D printing technology, engineers and designers are able to print the part in the matter of a couple of days, and at a significantly lower cost.

While 3D printing is not yet fast enough for manufacturing at the high-volume that Ford produces, but for more personalized and custom parts, 3D printing provides a more cost-effective option.

If you’re interested in staying updated on all the technologies that the engineers at Ford have been working on, be sure to keep an eye on the Sherwood Ford blog. We update it regularly to make sure you always know the latest Ford news.

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