3D Printing
Contact us
Home / Automotive / Recap: Automotive Additive Manufacturing in 2022
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Recap: Automotive Additive Manufacturing in 2022

December 30, 2022

The automotive industry adopted additive manufacturing for the production of fixtures and assembly aids fairly quickly.

But it wasn’t until April 2014 that the idea of printing large parts of a car became a reality, with the crowdsourced design of the Strati electric vehicle by Local Motors.

In September of the same year, the car was manufactured and tested, making the Strati the world’s first 3D printed car. Or at least, the first car with a 3D printed body and structure.

At the beginning of 2022, Local Motors closed their doors for good, due to a lack of funding, ostensibly resulting from a lack of demand for their innovative designs.

But with the demise of Local Motors, other companies have risen in 2022, all using additive manufacturing for producing significant components for their vehicles.

2022 has been a good year for automotive 3D printing. Let’s take a look at the highlights.

Liux Animal

Bioplastics are great, EVs are cool, so an EV printed from bioplastics is super cool.

And that is what the Animal from Spanish startup Liux is in a nutshell.

Printed from various bioplastics, and making use of printed molds for forming the biocomposite body panels, the Animal may seem like a strange moniker for a vegan car, but with the car being capable of pushing 240 hp, it is quite the beast.

Liux chassis
Aluminum chassis, flax-fiber body, and a bunch of 3D printed bioplastics. (Image credit: Liux)

The chassis of the car is made from recycled aluminum, and the use of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing processes has reportedly allowed the company to reduce manufacturing time by 70% and decrease the amount of raw materials needed by 25%.

The Liux Animal Habitat model with a range of 300 km will cost €39,000, and the Animal Wild model with a range of 300 km is expected to start at €45,000.

Cadillac Celestiq

Cadillac has long been known for their innovation. They were the first marque to include electric starters, first to use shatterproof safety glass and the first to power steering.

The latest innovation fest,the 2024 Cadillac Celistiq model will contain 115x 3D printed parts, making it the production car with the most 3D printed components in the world.

You can see the electric Cadillac in the image below, in all its fastback glory.

Cadillac Celestiq
Fastback Cadillac. (Image credit: Cadillac)

Whereas most cars use additive manufacturing for non-critical trim and body panels, the Celestiq uses AM for safety critical components as well.

Said critical components include seat belt guide loops as well as structural parts of the vehicle.

That’s not to say that Cadillac isn’t using AM for some fancy trim also.

The steering wheel consists of a solid chunk of 3D printed trim (seen below), and various console detailing is printed according to customer requirements.

3D printed wheel trim
3D printed wheel trim. (Image credit: Cadillac)

This luxury ride will set you back a hefty $300,000 USD (around €283,000 as of today’s exchange rate).

Automobili Estrema Fulminea

So far we have been looking at 3D printed panels/structural components, but in an ever growing EV market, there is one area that is aching for a bit of additive manufacturing love- batteries!

The Fulminea supercar from Italian auto manufacturer Automobili Estrema will be the first Italian made supercar to feature 3D printed solid state batteries from Sakku.

Batteries are the lifeblood of the EV sector, but the currently available battery technology has a few flaws, namely that they have a tendency to burst into flames.

Automobili Estrema Fulminea
Fast and light. (Image credit: Automobili Estrema)

Solid state batteries offer a solution to this problem, as they are fabricated from solid electrolytes instead of the liquid or polymer electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Solid state batteries have several potential advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including higher energy density, longer lifespan, and improved safety. They also have a faster charging time and can operate at a wider range of temperatures.

They are a little time consuming and expensive to manufacture using traditional means, and so one battery manufacturer in particular (Sakuu) has turned to 3D printing to produce their solid-state batteries, as we reported earlier this year.

batteries
Related Story
Sakuu Opens Up AM Battery Gigafactory

The Swift Print solid-state battery cells from Sakuu not only have higher energy density (meaning lighter weight) but they provide higher power in bursts.

This is why the Fulminea supercar will use a hybrid battery strategy, using more typical batteries for cruising and the printed solid state batteries for bursts of power. The light weight of the batteries will keep the car at a svelte 1500kg, which is pretty light for a 2,011 hp EV.

How much will this Italian beast cost? A bargain at just $2,000,000 (€1,885,000).

What’s Next?

The year 2022 saw significant progress in the use of 3D printing in the automotive industry.

It is certain that this trend will continue and even accelerate in the coming years, as more and more car manufacturers adopt 3D printing technology in the production of their vehicles.

This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way cars are designed and manufactured, leading to more efficient and cost-effective production processes.

In particular, it is expected that the advancements made in high-end luxury car brands will eventually be incorporated into mass-produced vehicles, making 3D printing more accessible to a wider market.

Overall, it is clear that the future of the automotive industry is closely tied to the development and adoption of 3D printing technology.

2023 is going to be an interesting year.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Report Shows Construction 3D Printing Can Mitigate Effects of Climate Change

Cement and concrete are two of the most widely used resources in the world, second only to water, and their demand is expected... read more »

1 day ago Construction
wasp 3mt concrete

International Consortium to Promote Use of 3D Printed Metals in Construction

The Politecnico di Milano is leading a "ConstructAdd", an international consortium of partners in developing metal 3D printing techniques to improve energy efficiency... read more »

1 day ago 3D Printing Metal
Tensile test specimen

3D Printed Superyacht Concept Unveiled

Designer Jozeph Forakis has recently unveiled the world's first 3D printed superyacht, the 88-metre Pegasus concept. The yacht is designed to be sustainable... read more »

2 days ago News
superyacht

Creality Launches Huge CR-M4 – The Next Big Thing in Quality Printing

Creality has just released its new FDM 3D printer, the CR-M4, with rigid stability and a HUGE build volume. The CR-M4 is being... read more »

2 days ago 3D Printers
cr-m4

3D Printed Geodesic Labyrinth Arises in France

A 3D printed labyrinth has been erected in the medieval town of Chateaugiron, in the north-west of France, marking the first time that... read more »

4 days ago Art
Labyrinth by night.

Researchers Use Digital Twin for DED Optimization

A group of researchers from Tokyo University of Science and Suwa University of Science, in Japan, have collaborated with TOCALO Co. Ltd. to... read more »

6 days ago 3D Printing Metal
digital twin

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Twitter Twitter 3D Printing

3D Printer Categories

  • Desktop 3D Printers
  • Industrial 3D Printers
  • Modix BIG-60 Modix BIG-60
    600 x 600 x 660 mm
    $4,900
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech THUNDER Geeetech THUNDER
    250 x 250 x 260 mm
    $489
    Buy Now
  • gCreate gMax 2 PRO (with enclosure) gCreate gMax 2 PRO (with enclosure)
    457 x 457 x 609 mm
    $5,295
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar M Geeetech Mizar M
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $399
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech A30T Geeetech A30T
    320 x 320 x 420 mm
    $449
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar Pro Geeetech Mizar Pro
    220 x 220 x 260 mm
    $219
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar S Geeetech Mizar S
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $279
    Buy Now
  • Fusion3 F410 Fusion3 F410
    355 x 355 x 315 mm
    $4,599
    Buy Now
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

  • Tungsten (A) Tungsten (A)
    Components for imaging equipment, Ion generation equipment, Static weight distribution components
    Corrosion resistant, Heat resistant, Ionizing radiation absorption
    View Details
  • A6061-RAM2 (A) A6061-RAM2 (A)
    Light weight structural parts, RF parts for satellites
    High strength, Lightweight, Ductile
    View Details
  • LaserForm Maraging Steel (A) LaserForm Maraging Steel (A)
    Aerospace parts, Automotive high-wear parts, Cooling channels, Furnace parts, Tooling
    Heat resistant
    View Details
  • Certified CuNi30 (A) Certified CuNi30 (A)
    Cryogenic suspension and support systems, Pipe fittings, Valves
    Corrosion resistant, Low temperature resistance
    View Details
  • Modix BIG-120Z Modix BIG-120Z
    600 x 600 x 1200 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • 3D Printing Service
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers

Featured Companies

  • Modix
  • 3D Systems
  • Industry
  • Geeetech

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon M3
  • Flashforge Creator 3
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro
  • Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL
  • BIQU B1
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Service
  • Materials
  • Contact us
Featured Companies
  • Modix
  • 3D Systems
  • Industry
  • Geeetech
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • 3D Printing Service
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing
We serve cookies on this site to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience.
Details
Close