Metal 3D Printing Automotive Molds and Components Application List
Part 1: Automotive Mold Application List
| Application Scenario | Typical Component Examples | Mainstream 3D Printing Technology | Core Value | Typical Industry Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conformal Cooling Inserts | Injection mold cooling inserts, hot stamping mold cooling inserts | SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Cooling efficiency increased by 30%-50%, shortening the molding cycle by 15%-40%; reducing product shrinkage marks and deformation, improving qualification rate. | BMW automotive interior part injection molds, Bosch sensor housing molds |
| Complex Cavities/Cores | Automotive headlight cover mold cavities, instrument panel deep-cavity cores | SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Integrated molding of complex curved surfaces/undercut structures, reducing mold split parts (by 30%-60%); improving mold precision (within ±0.1mm). | Continental Group automotive headlight molds, Toyota interior part molds |
| Rapid Prototyping Molds (Soft Molds) | Small-batch injection mold inserts for new car R&D, stamping mold punches | SLM (Selective Laser Melting), DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) | Mold development cycle shortened from 2-3 months to 2-4 weeks; reducing small-batch trial production costs (cutting mold opening costs by more than 50%). | Tesla prototype vehicle part molds, NIO concept car molds |
| Mold Wear-Resistant/Repair Parts | Mold cutting edge reinforcement parts, worn cavity repair blocks | SLM (Selective Laser Melting), LMD (Laser Metal Deposition) | Printing wear-resistant alloy layers (e.g., cobalt-chromium alloy) on vulnerable mold parts, extending mold service life by 2-3 times; local repair replacing overall replacement, reducing maintenance costs. | Volkswagen stamping mold repair, Ford die-casting mold reinforcement |
Part 2: Automotive Component Application List
| Application System | Typical Component Examples | Mainstream 3D Printing Technology | Core Value | Typical Industry Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power System | Turbocharger impellers, fuel injectors, cylinder head water jackets | SLM (Selective Laser Melting), EBM (Electron Beam Melting) | Turbocharger impellers: Optimized flow channel design, weight reduction of 15%-20%, improving power response; Fuel injectors: Realizing micro-level fuel injection holes, enhancing fuel efficiency. | Porsche 911 Turbo S turbocharger impellers, General Motors fuel injectors |
| Chassis System | Lightweight control arms, steering knuckles, shock absorber piston rods | SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Adopting topology optimization design, weight reduction of 20%-40% (e.g., 30% weight reduction for control arms); integrating multi-component functions, reducing assembly processes (cutting 5-8 parts). | BMW i8 chassis control arms, Audi R8 steering knuckles |
| Body Structure | Door hinges, seat frames, instrument panel brackets, B-pillar reinforcements | SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Customization for personalized vehicle models; overall weight reduction of body components by 10%-25%, improving electric vehicle range (for every 100kg weight reduction, range increases by approximately 10-15km). | Mercedes-AMG GT R seat frames, Tesla Cybertruck structural components |
| Thermal Management System | Battery cooling plates, motor heat dissipation housings | SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Designing complex internal flow channels, heat dissipation efficiency increased by 25%-40%; adapting to the heat dissipation needs of high-density battery packs in new energy vehicles. | CATL battery cooling plates, BYD motor heat dissipation housings |
| Customized/Racing Components | Personalized body kits, racing suspension links, brake calipers | SLM (Selective Laser Melting), DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) | Meeting small-batch customization needs (1-100 units); extreme lightweight of racing components (e.g., 40% weight reduction for suspension links), improving handling performance. | Ferrari F1 racing suspension components, Lamborghini customized body parts |
