Research Article
Current Applications of 3D Printing in Custom Automotive Tooling
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364914, author={Tianrun Bi}, title={Current Applications of 3D Printing in Custom Automotive Tooling}, proceedings={Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Mechanics, Electronics Engineering and Automation, ICMEEA 2026, April 24-26, 2026, Singapore, Singapore}, publisher={EAI}, proceedings_a={ICMEEA}, year={2026}, month={9}, keywords={3D printing automotive manufacturing customized tooling additive manufacturing smart manufacturing}, doi={10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364914} }- Tianrun Bi
Year: 2026
Current Applications of 3D Printing in Custom Automotive Tooling
ICMEEA
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364914
Abstract
To adapt to the automotive industry's trends of personalization, small-batch production, and diverse product types, traditional tooling, due to long lead times, high costs, and insufficient flexibility, can no longer meet the demand. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology, with its advantages of rapid prototyping, design freedom, and integrated manufacturing, is driving innovation in the field of customized tooling. This report systematically reviews the current applications of this technology in automotive customized tooling, covering specific scenarios such as assembly fixtures, inspection tools, robot end effectors, molds, and auxiliary tools; analyzes the challenges currently faced in material performance, initial investment, process knowledge, and standardization; and looks ahead to future development trends such as new material development, hybrid manufacturing, digital-intelligent integration, and large-scale applications, aiming to provide theoretical and practical references for the further promotion of this technology.