Automakers are not short on success stories for their use of additive manufacturing in automotive applications, but several hurdles remain when it comes to further accelerating the adoption of the technology.

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Volkswagen AG, General Motors Co. and BMW AG, for example, all have a “rich history” of using additive manufacturing to produce spare parts, tooling and other low-volume components, according to Ford Motor Co.’s Ellen Lee. But automotive has specific needs in terms of scale, cost and materials that differ from other industries, such as aerospace and medical, that are also utilizing the technology.

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Last year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lee outlined the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker’s early achievements with 3D printing, too. With technology from Carbon, a digital manufacturing startup in the Silicon Valley area, Ford is designing and producing 3D printed end-use parts on three production vehicles. “At the time, […]

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