Porsche is using 3D printers to create rare car parts

JOHANNESBURG –Stuttgard- “No longer available”- for collectors of rare classic cars, the unavailability of spare parts can quickly lead to problems. In the worst case scenario, the car may even be forced out of action.

Porsche Classic, the Porsche division dedicated to classic vehicles, has come up with a solution to this problem, which is producing extremely rare pats that are only needed in small quantities using 3D printers.

All parts produced using the 3D printing process meet the requirements in terms of the original specifications- both from a technical and visual perspective.

Before embarking on a project to produce a particular component, Porsche Classic ensures to always evaluate various manufacturing processes.

This form of manufacturing presents an economic alternative for the production of small quantities, as the quality of “additive” manufacturing processes continues to improve with generally decreasing costs.

Porsche is currently manufacturing eight other parts using 3D printing, due to the consistently positive results received to date. The parts in question are steel and alloy parts that are produced using the selective laser melting process, and plastic components manufactured using an SLS printer. SLS stands for Selective Laser Sintering, which is a process where the material is heated to just below melting point and the remaining energy is applied through a laser to fuse the plastic powder at a selected point.

Photo Credit- Wheels24