Silicon Valley digital manufacturing company Carbon® recently demonstrated the first digital polymer parts produced by Ford Motor Company. These parts include Fox HVAC lever arm repair parts, F-150 Raptor auxiliary plug and Mustang GT500 electric parking brake bracket.
The two companies jointly demonstrated these applications at the Automotive Additive Manufacturing Symposium at the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
Carbon and Ford recently announced the opening of a high-level manufacturing center in Redford, Michigan, expanding the scope of cooperation, using Carbon ’s 3D printer, using Digital Light Synthesis ™ technology, and designing and producing several products through innovative EPX (epoxy) 82 A new type of digital end-use parts.
Carbon's EPX 82 material proved to be an ideal choice for these parts, it passed Ford's strict performance standards, short-term and long-term heat exposure; UV stability; liquid and chemical resistance; flammability (ISO 3795) and atomization Test (SAEJ1756).
"We are happy to work with Ford Motor Company to use the power of digital manufacturing to provide durable, end-use parts, and are excited that these parts have similar or better performance than injection molded parts." Carbon CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Joseph DeSimone said, "The automotive industry shows great prospects for the large-scale use of digital manufacturing, and our cooperation with Ford is your perfect example of designing and innovating on production materials.
By establishing partnerships with numerous companies including Adidas, Johnson & Johnson and Vitamix, Carbon helps customers create breakthrough products in various industries, from automotive to healthcare to consumer products, and transition from 3D printing to comprehensive digital manufacturing.
Carbon announced in November that it had significantly reduced the prices of its most widely used resins, further expanding the potential market for large-scale digitally manufactured parts.