Generative design in practice, and why it is now the same as topology optimization
In practice, generative design and topology optimization now describe the same thing. I explain how the software arrives at a shape, why the result looks...
Topics
Automotive
Analysis by Svetozar Kolesar
High-Volume Production of 3D Printed Parts That Ship in the Final Product. Who's Already Doing It, at What Scale, and Who Didn't Want to Admit It Until Recently?
In at least ten industries, 3D printed parts go into end products in series from thousands to millions of units a year. Only confirmed examples, with sources, and rumors kept clearly apart.
OEMs have produced millions of 3D printed parts. What does that mean for suppliers in the region?
BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, GM, Ford, Daimler Buses, Porsche, Toyota and Honda are building their own additive manufacturing. What it means for...
Part consolidation, when combining parts makes sense
When it makes sense to make several bolted, welded or bonded parts as one, what you gain, when it is a bad idea and how to decide, with examples from BMW,...
The Real State of Additive Manufacturing in the Region, a View from the Inside
What additive manufacturing really looks like in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo. A view from more than ten years of...
What does SLS for wire harness tooling really cost?
An analysis of replacing CNC tooling with SLS printing at a Tier 1 wire harness manufacturer with five plants: which technology, what the equipment costs,...
Latest news
CMS to show robot-based large-format polymer printer Krearob at Formnext
Italian machine builder CMS will present Krearob at Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt. The six-axis system is a large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) platform for thermoplastic materials. CMS targets applications such as molds, production tooling and parts for the aerospace and automotive sectors. Unlike gantry-based printers, Krearob moves its extrusion head with a robot arm, which allows a different reach and orientation of the deposited material. The teaser does not give build volume, pricing or availability, so these details remain open for now.
Stratasys launches F870 large-format FDM system, with Toyota and Rivian as early users
Stratasys has introduced the F870, a large-format FDM system with a fully heated chamber, aimed at factory-floor tooling, fixtures and production-support parts. Toyota Production Engineering in Kentucky and Rivian in Michigan are evaluating units ahead of commercial availability. The machine will be shown at IMTS 2026 in Chicago from 14 to 19 September.