Automotive
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Last updated
Was this helpful?
FDM 3D printing has become a game-changer for automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers alike, offering unprecedented flexibility in creating custom parts, repairing components, and even producing functional under-the-hood replacements. From cosmetic restorations like dashboard trim to high-heat engine bay components, FDM bridges the gap between prototyping and end-use manufacturing. With materials like Polymaker’s Fiberon™ line, automotive professionals and hobbyists can now produce parts that rival traditional manufacturing in strength, heat resistance, and precision—all from a desktop printer.
Cosmetic Repairs:
Interior Trim: Replace cracked dashboard panels, custom cup holders, or vintage steering wheel emblems.
Exterior Accents: Print aerodynamic splitters, mirror covers, or grille inserts.
Custom Accessories: Design unique shift knobs, phone mounts, or LED light housings.
Functional Components:
Jigs & Fixtures: Alignment tools for bodywork, brake line brackets, or welding guides.
Under-the-Hood: Air intake ducts, sensor mounts, or cable management clips.
Prototyping: Test-fit parts like turbocharger housings or suspension linkages before metal fabrication.
Performance Upgrades:
Lightweighting: Replace metal brackets with carbon-fiber-reinforced prints for weight reduction.
Heat Management: Heat-resistant ducts for turbo systems or coolant line brackets.
Polymaker’s Fiberon™ line delivers industrial-grade performance for demanding automotive applications, while other specialized filaments address niche needs.
Properties:
Heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 250°C+ (@0.45MPa), surpassing most thermoplastics.
Chemical resistance to fuels, oils, and solvents.
Metal-like stiffness with 10% carbon fiber reinforcement.
Applications:
Turbocharger heat shields, engine bay brackets, and exhaust manifold covers.
Fuel line clips and sensor housings exposed to extreme heat.
Properties:
HDT of 215°C and exceptional rigidity with 20% carbon fiber.
Warp-Free™ technology for dimensional stability on open-frame printers.
Applications:
Transmission mounts, throttle body adapters, and timing belt covers.
Properties:
Low moisture sensitivity relative to PA6 nylon for humid or wet environments.
Balanced strength and layer adhesion for complex geometries.
Applications:
Properties:
25% glass fiber reinforcement for impact resistance.
HDT of 191°C and Warp-Free™ compatibility.
Applications:
Bodywork plugs for molding widebody kits (e.g., Corvette fenders), bumper prototypes, and sanding jigs.
Properties:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for electronics.
High toughness and chemical resistance.
Applications:
ECU enclosures, battery terminal covers, and sensor housings.
Properties:
HDT of 140°C and UV resistance.
Exceptional impact strength (ISO 180/4A: 65 kJ/m²).
Applications:
Headlight bezels, sunroof seals, and exterior trim requiring weather resistance.
Ivan Tampi Customs used Polymaker’s PA6-GF25 on a MAKEiT2x4 printer to produce full-scale fender plugs for Corvette widebody kits. The process:
3D Scan: Capture the vehicle’s body shape digitally.
Design: Mirror the model for symmetrical counterparts.
Print: 5-day continuous print with a 0.6mm tungsten carbide nozzle at 285–300°C.
Post-Process: Sand and use as a mold plug for carbon fiber production.
Speed: Print replacement parts like door handles in hours, not weeks.
Cost: A $50 spool of PA6-GF25 replaces $500+ clay modeling for body kits.
Customization: Modify shift knobs or air vents to match unique designs.
Durability: PPS-CF10 withstands engine bay heat better than aluminum in some cases.
With innovations like continuous fiber reinforcement and high-temperature composites, FDM is poised to manufacture end-use parts like alternator brackets and HVAC ducts. Polymaker’s Fiberon™ line exemplifies this shift, offering materials that meet automotive OEM standards while remaining accessible to garage-based creators.
By combining FDM’s flexibility and Polymaker’s material science, the automotive industry is entering an era where every repair, upgrade, or custom part is just a print away.
Fluid reservoirs, windshield washer pumps, and undercarriage components.
