Over here at Borgman, we are continually amazed by some of the things being cooked-up and tested by Ford's research & development teams, and what they could mean for Ford customers in Grand Rapids, MI in the present and future.

This latest feature is about them exploring the use of 3D printing, what makes it better than traditional prototyping, and further down the road, if car buyers could one day personalize certain pieces of their Ford Vehicles.

This article from the Official Ford Media Center explains more about the process and advantages of 3D printing car parts. Here are some excerpts from the article:

Ford Motor Company is exploring how large-scale one-piece auto parts, like spoilers, could be printed for prototyping and future production vehicles, as the first automaker to pilot the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer.

Capable of printing automotive parts of practically any shape or length, the Stratasys Infinite Build system could be a breakthrough for vehicle manufacturing – providing a more efficient, affordable way to create tooling, prototype parts and components for low-volume vehicles such as Ford Performance products, as well as personalized car parts. The new 3D printer system is housed at Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn.

“With Infinite Build technology, we can print large tools, fixtures and components, making us more nimble in design iterations,” said Ellen Lee, Ford technical leader, additive manufacturing research. “We’re excited to have early access to Stratasys’ new technology to help steer development of large-scale printing for automotive applications and requirements.”

3D printing is not yet fast enough for high-volume manufacturing, but it is more cost efficient for low-volume production. Additionally, minus the constraints of mass-production processes, 3D-printed parts can be designed to function more efficiently.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com

Through innovations such as this, Ford remains on the cutting edge of efficiency, safety, comfort, and convenience, and Borgman has been a proud home to their vehicles since 1960. This article gives us a glimpse into the future, but past projects like this one are what made the current lineup of new Ford vehicles the best selling brand in America.

If you'd like to see our wide selection of New Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs, please feel free to visit the Borgman Ford showroom in Grand Rapids and take one out for a test drive!