Dan Grieshaber, GM’s director of global manufacturing integration, stated the majority of GM’s factories have 3D printers. Utilization of the technologies have lately elevated, leading GM to grow and standardize operations. Now, they plan to increase it further, at least for all their North American factories. The move is likely to save GM millions of dollars in production costs annually.
GM has long been an investor in 3D printing and it’s various sub-branch technologies. They are applying it for the rapid building of tools and accessories for workers in their plants. The implementation of a $35,000 3D printing machine has saved the company $300,000 over two years. While tooling production is the primary role that the printer plays, it may be possible that the company will increase the role of additive manufacturing in their daily operations.
Growing 3D Printing Output
When GM increases its North American 3D printing usage, it’s a sign of further investment in the industry as a whole. This counts for other firms as well. Seeing these figures, they may also feel the need to invest in and implement new tech. While a couple of 1000 dollars is not much to GM, such savings carry across several plants, and their global manufacturing footprint can rapidly accumulate. GM now produce a $3,000 part themselves, usually bought from competitors, cutting the cost to a measly $3. That adds up to $3,000 savings in every plant they have.
Aside from the cost, a lot of the workers recommended many changes due to safety as well. The devices can make ergonomic and safety tools very efficiently. Originally, the company brought them in to make kitting boxes and parts for Chevrolet and Buick. The workers found more and more uses for the printing technology as time went on. GM, based on Grieshaber’s insistence, is trying to standardize 3D printing and share guidelines across all the company’s plants globally.
Featured image courtesy of Michael Wayland.