Industry Voices | Additive Manufacturing Valuable Tool for Suppliers

Automakers have navigated unprecedented challenges in recent years, from supply chain disruptions to the shift toward electric vehicles. Leading original equipment manufacturers such as Toyota, General Motors and Ford have invested in technologies that enhance the production cycle. One such technology that delivers significant benefits is 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM).

With leading automakers recognizing the value of AM, suppliers must embrace this technology as well. In the automotive industry, suppliers are the backbone of the manufacturing process, driving innovation and ensuring seamless production. They are critical in maintaining cost-effectiveness and efficiency by managing supply chains to deliver parts precisely when needed.

Suppliers are indispensable partners in creating high-quality, competitive vehicles. Ensuring they commit to long-term AM adoption at scale is key to driving momentum and growth throughout the automotive industry. As suppliers face increasing pressure to innovate and optimize, concerns of longevity arise, and that is why integrating AM into operations now is important to prepare for this rapidly changing environment.

Today, automotive suppliers face significant challenges in transitioning to new technologies, especially as EV adoption is still uncertain. Retooling and training, as well as navigating supply chain disruptions, require substantial investment, strategic planning and adaptability to succeed in the evolving automotive landscape. This complex environment demands that suppliers remain agile and innovative. AM offers the perfect solution to stay competitive and meet OEM demands, particularly for those already investing in these technologies.

The advantages of integrating AM within supplier processes are extensive. From supply chain resilience to cost savings and versatility, AM delivers unprecedented benefits to automotive suppliers, driving efficiency across the production process.

There is little question traditional supply chain methods can get messy. Disruptions can cause significant delays in receiving critical parts for the production process, thus impacting profitability and productivity. AM addresses these issues by enabling on-demand printing of parts, which helps prepare for any potential disruptions that could halt production.

In terms of tooling, AM allows suppliers to quickly print key components of their machines. If a machine breaks down, AM can produce the required parts swiftly, preventing production delays that would otherwise occur while waiting for traditional supply chain methods to deliver new parts. Not only does this help to maintain the production process, but it also saves on costs that can build up due to delays.

For example, a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, Shape Corp., introduced industrial 3D printers on its factory floors, resulting in cost reductions and improved efficiency. When faced with supply chain delays, their ability to produce parts in-house using AM proved invaluable in maintaining production continuity, cutting costs by as much as 90%.

For OEMs, speed is everything. Constant innovation is necessary, and automakers rely on new technologies to rapidly develop and market new ideas. Traditional methods often involve lengthy lead times, from design to production. In contrast, automotive suppliers can bring new products to market faster with AM’s ability to enable rapid prototyping and iteration. Suppliers must match the speed of automakers’ production and innovation to remain competitive.

Whether producing small batches of custom parts or scaling up for high-volume orders, industrial AM solutions provide flexibility that traditional manufacturing methods struggle to achieve. Take aftermarket parts, for example. This is where customization and on-demand production are critical. AM allows suppliers to optimize part designs for performance, weight reduction and functionality, enabling quick responses to market demand and enhancing overall operations.

Don’t get left behind. While many suppliers have begun adopting smaller or more hobby-level printers, there remains a need to drive adoption of industrial-level printers to fully unlock the overall industrial application benefits that AM provides. Those suppliers who are already adopting industrial AM equipment understand that now is the time to invest in innovation, and that begins with additive manufacturing, a game-changer for automotive suppliers seeking to enhance their competitiveness and resilience in an evolving industry landscape.

Strategies implemented now will help navigate industry changes, maintain competitiveness and contribute to future automotive manufacturing advancements.As the automotive industry continues to evolve (and we know it will), those who invest in AM today avoid delays in productivity and see increased profitability.

GM CEO Mary Barra at 2022 unveiling of Cadillac Celestiq. Ultra-luxury BEV uses variety of 3D-printed parts.