Ford Motor Company is exploring how large one-piece car parts could be printed for prototyping and future production vehicles, as the first auto maker to pilot the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer. The new 3D print system is located at Ford’s Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
Capable of printing car parts of practically any shape or length, the Stratasys technology could be a breakthrough for vehicle manufacturing, providing a more efficient and affordable way to produce tooling, prototype parts, or components at lower volumes.
“With the Infinite Build technology, we are now able to print large tools, fixtures and components, making us more nimble in design iterations,” said Ellen Lee, Ford technical leader for additive manufacturing research. “We’re excited to have early access to Stratasys’ new technology in order to help steer the development of large-scale printing for automotive applications and requirements.”
March 15, 2017