Advanced Manufacturing Techniques: Modeling, Production Methods, and Digital Data Processing

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables several advantages in the automotive industry including design freedom, lightweighting, and distributed manufacturing. Current applications include rapid prototyping of components, 3D printed tooling like jigs and fixtures, and low-volume end-use parts production. AM enables parts consolidation and topology optimized lightweight structures. Mass customization of interiors is also possible through AM digital inventories and on-demand printing. Metal AM processes are advancing to potentially allow structural component printing pending material property improvements. AM adoption faces challenges around repeatability, speed, and compliance, but continued progress will expand applications. © 2024 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.