3-D printing applications have become commonplace in consumer products to include sneakers, jewelry and Ikea clothing hooks. Add Detroit auto manufacturing to the list.

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General Motors Co. has established a 3-D printing center at its Warren Tech Center called the Additive Industrialization Center. Stuffed with 24 high-tech 3-D printers, the 15,000-square-foot facility is the hub of GM’s acceleration of so-called “additive engineering” in its manufacturing process. Adding speed and efficiency to production, 3-D printing is now used on everything from the GMC Hummer EV and Corvette prototypes to finished chariots like the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing sedans. With auto development cycles under relentless pressure to speed production, 3D printing has become an essential tool.

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“The core component of GM’s transformation is becoming a more agile, innovative company, and 3D printing will play a critical role in that mission,” said GM Additive Design and Materials Engineering boss Audley Brown. “Compared to traditional processes, 3D printing can produce parts in a matter of days versus weeks or months at a significantly lower cost.” For example, development of the highly-anticipated, 2020 Chevrolet Corvette was assisted by 3D-printed brake ducts that were put through grueling track tests. While evolving through […]

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