As the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) kicks off in Detroit this week, 3D printing companies Carbon and Ford Motor Company demonstrated a series of digital polymer parts at an automotive additive manufacturing seminar today. These parts include Ford Focus HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling) lever arm repair parts, Ford F-150 Raptor auxiliary plugs, and Ford Mustang GT500 electric parking brake brackets. They are the first 3D printed parts to be implemented in collaboration with Carbon.
3D printed parking brake bracket
The parts shown at NAIAS 2019 demonstrate how Carbon and Ford have made progress in their collaboration, achieving the common goal of designing and producing digitally manufactured end-use parts for the automotive industry. The parts in question were all 3D printed using Carbon's digital light synthesis technology and its EPX (epoxy) 82 material.
Known for its high resolution and high strength performance, EPX 82 is suitable for printing automotive parts and meets Ford's performance standards and requirements, including internal weathering, heat exposure, UV stability, fluid and chemical resistance, flammability and fogging .
3D printed Raptor plug
"We are excited to partner with Ford Motor Company and leverage the power of digital manufacturing to provide durable end-use parts that have similar or better characteristics than injection molded parts," said Dr. Joseph. DeSimone, CEO and co-founder of Carbon. "The automotive industry shows great promise for the large-scale use of digital manufacturing, and our partnership with Ford is a perfect example of the innovation that can be achieved when designing the means of production."
Ford was one of the first companies to adopt 3D printing technology and did not shy away from using manufacturing technology in its business. Recently opened a $ 45 million advanced manufacturing center dedicated to exploring new applications for 3D printing, virtual reality and cobot technology.
3D printed HVAC lever arm
For its part, Carbon in Silicon Valley has partnered with internationally renowned companies such as Adidas and Johnson & Johnson to promote the promotion of 3D printing. The company plays an important role in transforming additive manufacturing from a prototype manufacturing process to a comprehensive digital manufacturing technology.