How major automakers use AM for production today, part 8: Jaguar Land Rover additive manufacturing Additive Manufacturing

How major automakers use AM for production today, part 8: Jaguar Land Rover additive manufacturing Additive Manufacturing

During this month’s AM Focus Automotive, we mapped the most accurate and up to date scenario for automotive additive manufacturing in final part production. We presented an analysis of the latest progress made by each major automaker group and some of the key activities—either publicly disclosed or confirmed by reliable sources. In the previous seven episodes of this series, we looked at Volkswagen, General Motors, Daimler Benz, Ford, BMW, PSA, and FCA. In this final episode, we will present a look at Jaguar Land Rover additive manufacturing, which will lead to our exclusive interview with Jaguar Land Rover’s Christopher Noble, Additive Manufacturing Strategic Engineer, that you will find in 3dpbm’s upcoming downloadable eBook on Automotive AM.

Production has resumed at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg Additive Manufacturing

Production has resumed at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg Additive Manufacturing

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand resumed vehicle production at its Wolfsburg plant on April 29th with the early shift beginning at 6:30 a.m. Initially, Golf production will recommence on a one-shift basis — with reduced capacity and longer cycle times. The Wolfburg plant also hosts VW’s 3D printing center and a number of 3D printers. It’s not yet clear if and how newly approved healthcare safety policies at VW will affect the adoption and installation of new production-ready systems at the automaker. The new regulations are expected to reduce contact between employees and thus drive an increase in production automation, but it still remains to be seen whether AM workflows will be able to accommodate this new demand.

EDAG develops crash-proof aluminum alloy for automotive 3D printing Additive Manufacturing

EDAG develops crash-proof aluminum alloy for automotive 3D printing Additive Manufacturing

Although we have not been able to establish a direct channel with their team, EDAG remains one of the most interesting, innovative and capable firms in the entire automotive additive production scenario. After showing some of the interesting cases and research studies in the automotive segment, the German design studio is now tackling materials with the CustoMat_3D research project.

Ford using in-house 3D printing to make parts for personal protective equipment AM Industry

Ford using in-house 3D printing to make parts for personal protective equipment AM Industry

The Ford Motor Company today announced its strategy to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the plan, it is partnering with 3M and GE Healthcare to help scale up production capabilities for medical equipment and necessary supplies using its expansive manufacturing capacity. The automotive leader is also leveraging its in-house 3D printing capability to produce components for personal protective equipment, and plans to assemble over 100,000 face shields per week.