Automakers are increasingly bringing 3D printing directly into their manufacturing operations, with Rivian, Ford Motor and General Motors expanding the technology to produce factory tools, prototypes and selected vehicle components while reducing production delays and supplier-related expenses.
The shift is taking place across manufacturing facilities in the United States, where companies are making additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, accessible to more engineers and factory workers. The technology allows digital designs to be converted into physical objects by building them layer by layer using materials such as plastics, resins, composites and metals.
For Rivian, the expansion is becoming a company-wide manufacturing strategy. Jared Beck, the company's head of additive manufacturing, told CNBC that the electric vehicle manufacturer intends to make 3D printing available across its operations.
Rivian has invested more than $5 million in 3D-printing equipment, while its annual material expenses have reached approximately $1.7 million, according to the CNBC report. Beck said the machines generally recover their costs within a year through lower tooling expenses, re...