3D Printing and Your Auto Repair Shop

3D PRINTING AND YOUR AUTO REPAIR SHOP

Over the past few years, 3D printing has seen a substantial increase in use. It has seen an annual growth rate of 23%- where it was valued at $5.8 billion in 2016 and is projected to be valued at $55.8 billion by 2027. What does this mean? 3D printing is becoming popular, and it has made its way into the auto-repair industry. Should you employ this technology within your shop?

Here are a few advantages:

• 
  3D printing can help reduce downtime by increasing the availability of replacement parts or repair fixtures:
• You’ll be able to create non-mechanical parts like badges and hard-to-find interior pieces that may no longer be available. This opens up your shop to restore older vehicles, allowing you to tap into a new niche market.
• You’ll be able to make tools, jigs, and fixtures for many vehicles. A repair might require a unique once-off tool. It would be expensive to buy, so just make it.

• 
  The learning curve for using this technology has radically decreased:

Large repositories of designs exist, where you can download and print items including automobile badges and logos.

These are a few materials that can currently be used in 3D printing: Plastics, stainless steel, maraging steel, and bluestone.

3D printed parts are cheaper, easier and faster to manufacture making it a valuable investment for any auto repair shop to have.