Daimler invests heavily in automated metal 3D printing to increase flexibility in parts production

3D printing has begun to change the way we think about small batch production. It is very flexible and customizable, but it is relatively expensive to manufacture and requires a lot of manual intervention to ensure smooth operation. However, if industry giants join this battle, it may make things better. Additive manufacturing (another name for 3D printing) can be made in plastic, ceramic or even metal, which is the latest area of ​​interest to Daimler, the company said on its blog on Wednesday.

Daimler estimates that 3D printing will increase the ability to manufacture medium-sized parts, without the costs associated with manufacturing or purchasing tools, and without the need to hire additional labor, which can save up to 50% in cost over current manufacturing methods. .
The Premium Aerotec/EOS NextGenAM system, which Daimler is co-developing, works with conveyor belts and a range of manufacturing robots to process powdered aluminum into heated lasers, which form the layers of the components. The entire process is automated, including the heat treatment process, the company said.

The NextGenAM system is now being used to manufacture spare parts for Daimler trucks and buses. The first part is the bracket for the diesel bus engine, which has been installed on the vehicle. The maturity of the technology also means that it is easier and cheaper to develop high-performance parts for limited-edition vehicles, so we can see that the NextGenAM system will appear on future AMG models. The new technology will allow the department to produce rare parts on-order, rather than mass production and keep excess parts on the shelves for decades.

Other car manufacturers are also gradually adopting 3D printing small-scale accessories. For example, General Motors uses 3D printers to make tools for its factories, and Ford will use 3D printed parts in the new Shelby GT500.