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Recent stories and news have shown how much 3D printing is winning more approvals. From being viewed as a gimmick a few years ago, it’s now gradually taking the heavy industrial settings by storm. One of the companies that invested in the new tech is BMW, and they have no signs of slacking their usage either. Furthermore, BMW has already set up a research facility named Additive Manufacturing Campus, specifically made for maximizing the possibilities of industrial 3D printing.
Its launching didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not something new. In fact, it has been running for quite some time now, as BMW immediately established it upon seeing the advantages of 3D printing. After a few years of actually utilizing the technology for certain parts, the advancement it brings is unquestionable. At present, parts for Rolls-Royce models are being 3D-printed. This is after the successful first employment of this technology to the production of BMW i8 Roadster.
Currently, at the BMW plant in Landshut, they create their metal parts through laser beam melting. They make use of almost entirely automated process production of fitting the metal 3D-printed elements into the car bodies. Moreover, they fit in the automobiles the metal substrate for the trim panel and polymer components from the Additive Manufacturing Campus. There are several parts that have been virtually impossible to realize are now engineered by generative design. And for rapid component development, they make use of computer algorithms.
Experts and computers join forces in creating parts that make only the best possible use of materials in production. The generative design makes many potential applications possible, while industrial 3D printing creates these complex forms and structures. As a matter of fact, conventional tools made these previously impossible. Therefore, BMW can use topology-optimized solutions to improve form and function significantly.
