3D Printing is Empowering the Automotive Industry

The present paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of 3D printing in the automotive industry, which is an emerging field with promising development prospects. Furthermore, this technology possesses exceptional characteristics that have the potential to revolutionize and steer the current automotive industry toward new horizons. This article provides a concise overview of the disparities between 3D printing and conventional manufacturing technologies, while also offering a succinct introduction to prevalent methodologies in 3D printing. This paper focuses on the application of 3D printing in four areas: automotive weight reduction, maintenance, manufacturing material diversification, and research and development. Additionally, it highlights that 3D printing technology faces challenges such as a lack of standardized specifications, limited theoretical models, and lengthy single-piece production cycles. This paper aims to provide the latest advancements and challenges in the application of 3D printing in the automotive industry, catering to the needs of researchers and practitioners in related fields, thus offering valuable support for their scholarly endeavors.