September 12, 2018—Volkswagen has found a new way to use a 3-D printer: to mass produce car parts, reported WFMZ-TV.
The world's largest carmaker unveiled plans Tuesday to start using HP metal printing technology to manufacture select parts including gear knobs and custom tailgate lettering, according to the report.
Volkswagen said that it wants to mass produce structural parts using the technology within two to three years.
Volkswagen already has 90 3D printers in its plants, which are used to make replacements for rare parts.
But the carmaker said the new technology will allow for even "highly stressed" parts like pistons to be printed. The printer spits out layer upon layer of material until they are baked into a single piece.
