Automakers Rivian and Ford Expand 3D Printing to Cut Costs and Speed Production
Rivian and Ford are scaling additive manufacturing across their plants, aiming for faster, cheaper parts.
Automakers are democratizing 3D printing to lower costs and accelerate part production.
Rivian’s Rapid Expansion
Jared Beck, head of Rivian’s additive manufacturing, told CNBC during a tour of the company’s Detroit‑area 3D‑printing hub that the automaker doesn’t have a choice but to scale up and begin using it through all factions of Rivian. He said the goal is to make 3D prints readily available for every engineer.
Ford operates additive‑manufacturing departments at many of its plants, a model that differs from Rivian’s centralized bay. At the Dearborn, Michigan facility that builds F‑150 pickups, Ford installed a vending machine stocked with 3D‑printed parts. Mechanical engineer Gregory Foresi, who ran Ford’s 3D‑printing lab until last month, explained that the vending machine gives team leaders immediate access to needed components, reducing the need to store large inventories in the lab.
Foresi’s lab used roughly two dozen printers to produce thousands of tools, many designed by employees, such as torque‑bit sockets, hood jackers, and hand tools for smoothing adhesive.
Cost and Speed Benefits
Both automakers highlight savings measured in the millions and emphasize speed as a primary advantage. Rivian describes the technology as “well in the millions [for savings], but the main thing is speed for Rivian.” Ford’s vending‑machine approach similarly aims to keep parts stocked and readily available, supporting rapid production cycles.
As 3D printing becomes more embedded in automotive factories, engineers gain the ability to create and receive parts almost instantly, reshaping how vehicles are built.
