Applications
BMW Turns to WAAM to Make Vehicle Components
When we discuss key industries using additive manufacturing, car manufacturing is undoubtedly on that list. The automotive sector has been an early and adamant adopter of 3D printing technologies with many famous companies (including Ford, Ferrari, Volvo and Aston Martin,…
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When we discuss key industries using additive manufacturing, car manufacturing is undoubtedly on that list. The automotive sector has been an early and adamant adopter of 3D printing technologies with many famous companies (including Ford, Ferrari, Volvo and Aston Martin, among many others) integrating AM into their assembly lines. Now in latest news, famed German luxury car manufacturer BMW has announced the expansion of its AM capabilities with the adoption of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).
You probably know that this is not the first time that BMW has turned to additive manufacturing. We have previously covered BMW’s use of laser powder bed fusion to help in Olympic sports like Bobsledding as well as to create bikes. Additionally, it has long used the technology as a part of its production. But this latest news shows how they plan to use WAAM to make even larger components.
A close up of a part made by BMW using WAAM
Why Is BMW Adopting WAAM?
It actually is not entirely accurate to say that BMW is new to WAAM adoption. Actually, the press release shows that the BMW Group has been trialing and testing this process for a number of years now, since 2015, and have had a WAAM cell, from MX3D, for the production of test components on their Additive Manufacturing Campus in Oberschleißheim since 2021.
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