Ford and HP Use Recycled 3D Printing Materials to 3D Print New Auto Parts

After the decision to once again turn to 3D printing for its manufacturing processes, Ford has joined forces with HP. The pair are set for an industry first, turning used 3D printed parts and powders into injection molded auto parts. While the primary importance of this feat is, of course, its reduction of the detrimental impacts 3D printing materials, in particular plastics, can have to the environment, it is also important to note that despite reusing old materials, the final parts show no compromise in durability or quality.

“Finding new ways to work with sustainable materials, reducing waste, and leading the development of the circular economy are passions at Ford,” Debbie Mielewski, Ford technical fellow, Sustainability commented. “Many companies are finding great uses for 3D printing technologies, but, together with HP, we’re the first to find a high-value application for waste powder that likely would have gone to landfill, transforming it into functional and durable auto parts.”

First installed on the Ford Super Duty F-250 trucks, these recycled materials are currently being used in the manufacture of injection-molded fuel-line clips. Not only do these parts meet the standard of chemical and moisture resistance offered by their conventionally manufactured counterparts but surpass them in terms of lightness (by 7%) and cost (by 10%). As such Ford’s research team have investigated which other parts may benefit of this new material and found ten other fuel line clips on existing vehicles that fit the profile.