BMW accelerates the integration of additive manufacturing into its production cycle

German automaker BMW has announced the launch of a new additive manufacturing plant to accelerate the implementation of the technology in its manufacturing process. The construction of this additive manufacturing campus will cost 10 million euros and is expected to open in 2019 in Oberschleissheim, north of Munich.

With the opening of this campus, BMW hopes to further push itself into additive manufacturing within its production cycle. The automaker turned to 3D technology to design the convertible top of its i8 Roadster; but has also invested in promising start-ups like Desktop Metal, thereby affirming its desire to help further develop additive manufacturing. They have already opened an Additive Manufacturing Center in Munich, where more than 100,000 components will be 3D printed every year, be it spare parts or parts of metal frames.

BMW’s new additive manufacturing campus

A 6,000 square meter additive manufacturing center

This additive manufacturing campus will be located in an existing 6,000 square meter building and is expected to accommodate up to 80 employees and over 30 industrial metal and plastic additive manufacturing solutions. BMW says the center will focus mainly on rapid prototyping but also on serial production and custom solutions. The latest innovations in the 3D printing industry should be tested in this campus, bringing it closer to existing pilot plants. It would also enable a new level of interdisciplinary collaboration and training, for engineers and designers at different levels of the BMW manufacturing chain.