Automakers like Rivian and Ford are ‘democratizing 3D printing’ to reduce costs and increase speed
Ford, Rivian and GM are integrating 3D printing directly onto factory floors to produce prototypes, assembly tools, and low-volume parts. The companies are moving the technology beyond initial prototyping into repair parts and production components to accelerate timelines and lower expenses. Rivian has installed on-demand printers at its Normal plant, reporting that these machines reduce part wait times from weeks to days and pay for themselves within one year. Rivian claims these scaling efforts have resulted in savings that run "well in the millions".
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- ✓ Ford, Rivian and GM use 3D printing for prototypes, factory tools and low-volume parts.
- ✓ Rivian is utilizing on-demand 3D printers at its Normal plant.
- ✓ Rivian reports 3D printing savings run "well in the millions".
- ✓ The use of 3D printing in manufacturing is intended to reduce costs and increase production speed.
What changed
Ford, Rivian and GM have expanded 3D printing applications from simple prototyping to factory tools and production components.
Live updates
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Ford, Rivian and GM Expand 3D Printing to Cut Costs and Production Time
Ford, Rivian and GM are integrating 3D printing directly onto factory floors to produce prototypes, assembly tools, and low-volume parts. The companies are moving the technology beyond initial prototyping into repair parts and production components to accelerate timelines and lower expenses. Rivian has installed on-demand printers at its Normal plant, reporting that these machines reduce part wait times from weeks to days and pay for themselves within one year. Rivian claims these scaling efforts have resulted in savings that run "well in the millions".
Why it matters
Automakers are shifting toward the commoditization of additive manufacturing to bypass traditional supply chain delays. This transition allows for rapid iteration of factory tooling and the ability to print parts on demand. It represents a broader industry trend toward democratizing 3D printing to increase operational speed.
What is confirmed
- Ford, Rivian and GM use 3D printing for prototypes, factory tools and low-volume parts.
- Rivian is utilizing on-demand 3D printers at its Normal plant.
- Rivian reports 3D printing savings run "well in the millions".
- The use of 3D printing in manufacturing is intended to reduce costs and increase production speed.
Still unconfirmed
- Rivian's 3D printing machines pay for themselves within a year and cut part wait times from weeks to days.
- Rivian has invested millions in 3D printing with larger plans still ahead.
What to watch next
- Evidence of 3D printed components in final consumer vehicle deliveries
- Financial reports detailing specific cost reductions from additive manufacturing
- Expansion of on-demand printing to other GM or Ford assembly plants
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (11)
- CNBC — Automakers like Rivian and Ford are ‘democratizing 3D printing’ to reduce costs and increase speed
- Pluang — Automakers expand 3D printing for parts and too...
- RivianTrackr — Rivian Expands 3D Printing Across the Company
- Electric Vehicles — Rivian Says 3D Printing Savings Run ‘Well in the Millions’ as It Scales Up
- Yahoo Autos — Rivian Has Invested Millions In 3D Printing. Its Biggest Plans Are Still Ahead
- AutoSpies — Rivian Installs 3D Printers At The Factory To Make Parts On Demand
- www.cnbc.com — How Rivian, Ford and GM are using 3D printing to reduce costs
- rocketnews.com — Automakers like Rivian and Ford are ‘democratizing 3D ...
- www.archyde.com — How Ford, Rivian and GM Are Using 3D Printing to Cut Costs ...
- www.unscrolled.news — Ford, Rivian, GM expand 3D printing across manufacturing ...
- riviantrackr.com — Rivian Expands 3D Printing Across the Company
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