Bentley is Expanding its 3D Printing Capabilities

UK-based Bentley Motors Limited, a manufacturer of luxury cars and SUVs and a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group since 1998, has announced a £3 million investment in its 3D printing facility, based in Crewe, England. The ultimate goal of the investment is to print vehicle components and enhance further customization in customers’ cars. In 2021, Bentley applied additive manufacturing in a wide range of applications, ultimately producing more than 15,000 components. This fact, along with the investment, proves the luxury automakers commitment to AM.

Not to mention, such an investment in 3D printing is yet another example of Bentley’s vision to create a long-term sustainable business model and remain at the forefront of technological progress. The fleet of 3D printing systems at the Crewe factory consists mainly of the latest generation of industrial FDM (for advanced plastic polymer extrusion) and PolyJet (jetting material for multi-material models) machines from Stratasys, with at least one HP Jet Fusion 5210 printer (for PBF polymer with nylon and TPU materials).

Bentley’s 3D printing facility in Crewe, England

As you know, additive manufacturing systems convert 3D CAD models into physical components and are recognized as one of the fastest developing technologies in the world. And thanks to it, Bentley’s innovative research and development team has already identified a wide variety of printable items. This includes everything from job-assisted tools for manufacturing to lightweight sanding blocks in Bentley’s iconic woodworking shop. They have also created the precise tooling needed to manufacture parts for the Bentley Blower Continuation model, and even provided face shields to the healthcare sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.