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Automakers Rivian and Ford Increase Use of 3D Printing for Cost Reduction and Speed
Key points
- Rivian spent over $5 million on 3D printers, with $1.7 million annual material costs.
- 3D printers pay for themselves within a year, saving millions.
- Technology cuts part production time from weeks to days or hours.
- Rivian uses 3D printing for silicone parts, motor models, and production trim pieces.
Automakers Adopt Additive Manufacturing
Ford Motor and Rivian Automotive are increasingly integrating 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, into their production processes. This technology, which builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer from digital designs, is becoming more prevalent in the automotive sector.
Cost Savings and Increased Speed
Manufacturers report that 3D printing helps reduce costs and increase operational speed. Rivian's head of additive manufacturing, Jared Beck, stated that the technology is essential for the company, noting that machines typically pay for themselves within a year. Rivian has invested over $5 million in 3D printing machines, with annual material costs around $1.7 million.
The technology significantly lowers supplier tooling costs, reduces logistics expenses, and cuts production times for parts from weeks to days or even hours. Beck emphasized that speed is a primary benefit for Rivian, leading to millions in savings.
Broad Applications Across Production
3D printing is being used for a variety of applications, including vehicle parts, accessories, tools for assembly plants, and testing units for research and development labs. Rivian's recent expansion includes machines for flexible silicone parts and on-demand printing bays at its Normal, Illinois plant for engineers.
Specific uses at Rivian include creating electric-motor models for fluid testing, screw guides for tooling, stamping press inserts, and certain production parts like trim pieces.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Automakers like Rivian and Ford are expanding their use of 3D printing across operations, from vehicle parts to assembly tools. This adoption is driven by the technology's ability to reduce costs, accelerate production times, and streamline logistics.