6 Automotive Parts That Are Ready for 3D Printing
What parts are automakers already 3D printing? Here are 6 proven examples plus design tips.
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) Services
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is the leading additive manufacturing technology for metals. In the LPBF process, a high-powered laser selectively melts and fuses metal powder to form each layer of the part.
The laser selectively melts specific regions of the powder bed according to the digital design, enabling precise control over the part’s geometry. As the process builds the part layer by layer, the laser is used to fuse layers, allowing for the creation of intricate internal features and complex geometries.
How LPBF works
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is also known as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). This technology requires an inert gas atmosphere and a laser to melt metal powder which is stored in a powder bed.
Compared to other additive manufacturing technologies, LPBF offers superior resolution and material properties for metal parts. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding, which require expensive tooling and are limited in producing complex shapes, LPBF enables rapid turnaround and the fabrication of highly intricate, lightweight components without the constraints of molds or dies.
As this happens repetitively layer by layer on the build platform, the material fuses together to form the part.
With the help of support structures, LPBF enables complex geometries that are not achievable through subtractive manufacturing methods. Furthermore, this additive manufacturing process requires no additional tooling, making it a cost-efficient manufacturing technology. Another advantage of powder bed technologies is the recyclability of unused powder.
The process uses a high-precision laser to selectively melt and fuse metal powder, building parts layer by layer. It begins with the application of a thin layer of powder onto the build platform inside a controlled build chamber. The laser then melts the powder according to the digital design. After each layer is completed, the platform lowers and a new powder layer is spread.
This cycle repeats until the part is fully formed, enabling the creation of intricate geometries with excellent mechanical properties. Thanks to this precision and detail, LPBF is ideal for producing functional prototypes and high-performance end-use parts—without the need for traditional tooling.
Support structures are used as needed, allowing for overhangs and complex features that are not possible with subtractive methods. Process parameters like laser power, scan speed, and energy density are fine-tuned to ensure part quality and optimal microstructure.
Another advantage of LPBF is powder efficiency: unused powder can be sieved and reused, reducing material waste. Each print job is carefully monitored throughout the process to ensure dimensional accuracy and part integrity.
LPBF Use Cases
As the leading metal additive manufacturing technology, LPBF is used by many industries on the MakerVerse platform, including automotive, energy, and others. LPBF is often integrated into the overall production process, enabling seamless transition from design to finished part. It plays a crucial role within broader production and manufacturing processes, supporting efficient workflows and achieving high-quality outcomes. LPBF is also one of several additive manufacturing processes available for producing metal parts, offering unique advantages in precision and complexity.
This technology is equally suitable for producing functional prototypes as engineered end-use parts, thanks to the wide range of material options and various metals—such as titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, superalloys, and cobalt-chromium—that can be used with LPBF.
LPBF by the Numbers
Max Build Size
500 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm (Standard)
Lead Times
Starting at 12 days
Minimum Wall Thickness
0.8 mm (depending on geometry)
Dimensional Accuracy
+/- 0.3% with a minimum of 0.3 mm
Key Feature: Oversized Parts
Looking for bigger parts? You’re in the right place.
While the standard size for LPBF parts is typically 500 mm in the longest dimension, we offer state-of-the-art LPBF printers capable of up to 1.5 meters in the longest dimension. With these capabilities, you can explore all-new applications in prototyping, spare parts, and series production.
Learn how to go far beyond the standard sizes typically available
Gas turbine emissions probes made for Siemens Energy using LPBF, welding, and machining.
Working with MakerVerse and leveraging their extensive eco-system to support on demand parts requirements has allowed us to be more responsive and agile.
Quan Lac
Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Siemens Energy
Source Industrial-Grade LPBF parts
MakerVerse give you the flexibility to source parts however you need. Get instant quotes and quickly order parts with on-demand manufacturing. For sophisticated orders, our team of experts will work with you to develop, align and supervise a manufacturing quality plan from start to finish.
On-Demand Manufacturing
- Instant quoting and DFM checks
- Short lead times
- Fast and intuitive order placement
Production Orders
- Expert support from end-to-end
- Comprehensive manufacturing and quality plan
- Guaranteed quality meeting advanced specifications
Available LPBF finishes
Heat Treated
After reaching and remaining at a pre-determined temperature, the material is cooled back down. As a result, the material properties can be specifically adapted to individual use cases.
Painted
Additional color is applied to the printed part, often by a professional spray-painting system. To get the desired output, the part is properly prepared through accurate cleaning and a clearcoat.
CNC Machined
Post-processing CNC options include turning, milling, drilling, and more. The advantages include dimensional stability, low surface roughness, and flexibility for customer-specific requirements.
Polished
An abrasive is used to smooth a part's surface. By repeating this process throughout different stages with reduced roughness of the abrasive, you gain a smooth and polished surface.
Tumbled
Parts are reworked by grinding media in a container, where they are deburred, finely ground, and polished by vibration or rotation of the container.
Blasted
An abrasive medium is applied to the component under high pressure. By using different media (e.g., corundum, sand or glass beads), both functional (achieving a certain surface roughness) and optical (polishing the surface) finishing can be performed.
Heat Treated
After reaching and remaining at a pre-determined temperature, the material is cooled back down. As a result, the material properties can be specifically adapted to individual use cases.
Painted
Additional color is applied to the printed part, often by a professional spray-painting system. To get the desired output, the part is properly prepared through accurate cleaning and a clearcoat.
CNC Machined
Post-processing CNC options include turning, milling, drilling, and more. The advantages include dimensional stability, low surface roughness, and flexibility for customer-specific requirements.
Polished
An abrasive is used to smooth a part's surface. By repeating this process throughout different stages with reduced roughness of the abrasive, you gain a smooth and polished surface.
Tumbled
Parts are reworked by grinding media in a container, where they are deburred, finely ground, and polished by vibration or rotation of the container.
Blasted
An abrasive medium is applied to the component under high pressure. By using different media (e.g., corundum, sand or glass beads), both functional (achieving a certain surface roughness) and optical (polishing the surface) finishing can be performed.
Available LPBF materials
LPBF technology supports a diverse range of metal powders, including titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, and cobalt chrome, each offering unique advantages for different industrial applications. The mechanical properties of LPBF-processed parts are determined by several factors, such as the chemical composition of the powder material, the size and distribution of powder particles, and the specific processing parameters used during manufacturing.
Typical powder particles for LPBF have a particle size between 10 and 100 micrometers, and the layer thickness can be adjusted from 10 to 200 micrometers to balance surface quality and build speed. Critical parameters like energy density, scanning speed, and powder layer thickness directly influence the microstructure, density, and corrosion resistance of the final part. LPBF-processed components are known for their high density and excellent mechanical properties, making them suitable for demanding environments such as aerospace, automotive, and medical implants. Support structures are often required during the manufacturing process to stabilize parts and ensure proper adhesion to the build plate, especially when producing complex geometries. By carefully controlling these variables, LPBF delivers parts with superior surface quality and performance, tailored to the needs of advanced industrial applications.
What’s the best material for your project?
Use our interactive technology and material advisor to find out.
Aluminum AlSi10Mg 
Copper Alloy CuNi2SiCr Copper Alloy CuCrZr Copper CuCP Hastelloy X Inconel 625 Inconel 718 Scalmalloy AlMgSc Stainless Steel 17-4PH (1.4542) Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404) Titanium Ti6AI4V Tooling Steel MS1 (1.2709) Aluminum AlSi10Mg Aluminum AlSi10Mg
Main characteristics
This aluminum alloy is characterized by a good balance of strength, hardness, and dynamic properties values. Furthermore, AlSi10Mg has good thermal as well as good electrical conductivity. It can also be used for printed parts that have to function in wet environments due to its corrosion resistanceUse cases
AlSi10Mg is often used in housing applications. Additionally, this aluminum alloy can be used for functional prototypes due to the possibility of realizing complex parts. Other areas of usage are in heat exchangers because of its good thermal conductivity or in lightweight geometries like bracketsLead time
12 days Copper Alloy CuNi2SiCr Copper Alloy CuNi2SiCr
Main characteristics
Copper (Cu) is one of the most flexible materials for engineering. It has particularly good electrical and thermal conductivity – its thermal conductivity is up to ten times higher than the one of many steels. Its good electrical conductivity makes copper well-suited for electrical engineering. Copper is also very resistant to corrosion.The CuNi2SiCr alloy is a thermally hardenable copper-based alloy that offers a very good combination between thermal and electrical conductivity. It offers good rigidity of the printed part. This alloy also has a good corrosion resistance and can generally be used in more harsh conditions where pure copper is not suited, thanks to the addition of nickel and silicon.
Use cases
The combination of properties makes CuNi2SiCr ideal for electrical engineering parts, tooling, and for parts used by welding technologies.Lead time
15 days Copper Alloy CuCrZr Copper Alloy CuCrZr
Main characteristics
This copper alloy has an advantageous combination of electrical and thermal conductivity. It also features good mechanical properties, which makes this a popular material across industries.Use cases
CuCrZr is widely used. For example, for molds and cooling inserts for metal casting, electrodes, welding technology, and current-carrying parts for electro-technology such as induction coils.Lead time
15 days Copper CuCP Copper CuCP
Main characteristics
Copper (Cu) is one of the most flexible materials for engineering. It has a particular good electrical and thermal conductivity – its thermal conductivity is up to ten times higher than the one of many steels. Its good electrical conductivity makes copper well-suited and therefore a popular material in electrical engineering. Copper is also very resistant to corrosion. CuCp is a high purity copper allowing generally a copper content over 99.95%, therefore it is mostly suitable where high electrical or heat conductivity are required.Use cases
Given the characteristics pure copper (CuCP) is mostly used in applications that include electrical motors, inductors or other designs required for electrical applications, where high conductivity (both thermal or electrical) is the main criteria for material choice. Prototypes for functional parts are also done using copper. Due to its corrosion resistance, copper is also often used in the marine industry. Another specific use case is the use of copper in heat exchangers.Lead time
15 days Hastelloy X Hastelloy X
Main characteristics
Hastelloy X is a nickel-based alloy also containing chromium iron and molybdenum. This combination allows for oxidation resistance while allowing at the same time high temperature strength and fabrication. It can be easily fabricated and formed due to good ductility.Use cases
Given its characteristics, this material is mainly used in turbine engines for parts located in the combustion zone like combustor cans, frame holders, and tailpipes. It can also be used in industrial furnace applications as well as chemical processing and petrochemical industries for pipes or valves. With a high usability for pressure vessels and heat exchangers, it is often used in nuclear and chemical reactors.Lead time
15 days Inconel 625 Inconel 625
Main characteristics
Inconel 625 (IN625) is a nickel-based non-ferrous alloy characterized by good performance in high-temperature environments with a special resistance against oxidation. This is mainly because IN625 has less iron and a higher concentration of chromium than other alloys. Further, IN625 is able to withstand high temperatures, much like other nickel superalloys.Use cases
Given its strong resistance to corrosion, Inconel 625 is ideal for environments involving harsh chemicals or sea water. This also makes it suitable for applications in the chemical processing industry and waste/pollution management. IN625 is commonly used for jet engine parts, high- or low-pressure valves, turbine shroud rings, flare stacks or heat exchangers.Lead time
15 days Inconel 718 Inconel 718
Main characteristics
Inconel 718 (IN718) is a nickel-based superalloy characterized by good performance in high-temperature environments. This is mainly because IN718 has good mechanical properties up to 700 °C. Furthermore, the metal has excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance, making it an ideal fit for the usage in demanding environments. Another advantage is the high strength of the material.Use cases
IN718 is ideal for challenging use cases, such as those involving the aerospace or energy industry. It is often used in gas turbine parts, where it must withstand high forces and temperatures. This also makes the material ideal for exhaust components. Another common use is in the chemical industry, especially the oil industry for pipes or valves.Lead time
15 days Scalmalloy AlMgSc Scalmalloy AlMgSc
Main characteristics
Scalmalloy is an aluminum-magnesium alloy that contains a comparatively high amount of scandium. This specific blend of elements gives Scalmalloy an improved strength over traditional casting alloys. Scalmalloy has a very high tensile strength with a low material density making it comparable to titanium-based alloys at room temperatures. Additionally, it shows very good corrosion resistance and allows for electric conductivity. Scalmalloy is an approved material under FIA regulations.Use cases
Aluminum-based alloys like Scalmalloy are ideal for lightweight engineering. It’s frequently used in structural components for lightweight construction industries like aircraft or high-performance cars where every kilogram of weight matters. Other typical use cases are applications in robotics, semiconductor machinery, and high-quality prototypes.Lead time
15 days Stainless Steel 17-4PH (1.4542) Stainless Steel 17-4PH (1.4542)
Main characteristics
The stainless-steel material 17-4 PH is characterized by high yield strength and good corrosion resistance. It is a multipurpose steel that can be heat treated to a hardness of 34 HRC with a tensile strength of 95% compared to the forged material. The steel can be welded using tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding or electric arc welding processes.Use cases
17-4 PH is capable of high-strength, robust metal parts that are often used for industrial applications.Lead time
15 days Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404) Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404)
Main characteristics
316L is a stainless steel which stands out due to its very good corrosion resistance, making it a great fit for printed parts that are used in moist environments. Parts out of 316L can easily be re-worked or enhanced with further features given its good machinability. Furthermore, 316L has a high ductility.Use cases
316L is used in a wide range of applications in the aerospace, automotive, food, and energy industries. It is also used for components like pipes and valves in the chemical industry. Another typical use case is wristwatch cases and bracelets.Lead time
15 days Titanium Ti6AI4V Titanium Ti6AI4V
Main characteristics
Titanium is used extensively due to its high strength and low weight ratio, high corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance. All these properties make titanium and its alloys attractive materials for a range of different use cases and industries.Use cases
Due to titanium’s biocompatibility, it is used for medical and dental applications. Its high strength and comparatively low weight make it appealing for high-performance parts like gearboxes and connecting rod in racing cars and for bionic brackets in the aviation industry.Lead time
15 days Tooling Steel MS1 (1.2709) Tooling Steel MS1 (1.2709)
Main characteristics
This tooling steel which is also known as MS1 is characterized by a high tensile strength as well as a high toughness. It can be used in higher temperatures since its mechanical properties remain stable up to approximately 400°C. Another advantage of 1.2709 is that its mechanical properties can be further optimized through heat treatment and martensitic hardening.Use cases
1.2709 has various use cases. For example, it is often used for tooling inserts for injection molding, extrusion tool inserts, or for functional prototypes. Furthermore, this tooling steel can be used for tooling and fixtures. Due to its high strength, it is regularly used in motor sports and aviation.Lead time
15 daysDidn't find the material you are looking for?
We are constantly expanding and you can request specific materials going beyond our current standardized offering. Select “Other Material” in the order process and provide us with your desired specifications in the comment section. You can also reach out to us with your specific material requests
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