Today, we are constantly striving to make our businesses more cost efficient. In automotive, this is especially true in the context of research and development. The prototyping stage can lead to wasted materials, space and capital for inventory or time awaiting the delivery of specific components.

Throughout the next several months, ATA will be offering our industry expertise in collaboration with the University of Waterloo (UW) MSAM (Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Laboratory). Together, we hope to understand the plausibility for 3D-printed oil pump housings that meet industry standards and answering the questions that currently revolve around the durability and performance of 3D-printed automotive components.

We started with two questions: Are automotive companies researching and testing additive manufacturing? If so, then what steps are they taking to implement this into their projects going forward? UW's Lisa Brock informed of the several industry-leading companies that are currently conducting case studies and even implementing additive manufacturing to their portfolio. "GE Aviation has printed a lightweight turboprop engine using additive manufacturing, consolidating 855 parts to only a dozen components", says Lisa. This means the new bill of materials is just over 1% of what it was before 3D-printing. In fact, GE Aviation currently mass produces a 3D printed nozzle tip for use in their LEAP jet engine.