2014 Chevy Malibu Refresh Made Possible by 3D Printing
3D printing technology is helping automakers refresh their vehicles quicker and cheaper, such as the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.
Rapid prototyping through 3D printers helped Chevrolet give its 2014 Malibu a refresh on the inside and out in a cost-effective and time-saving method. By producing prototype pieces out of powder or liquid resin at a fraction of the cost, the American automaker was able to develop and evaluate new pieces for its Malibu without having to build tools to make test parts.
SEE ALSO: 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Early Refresh Revealed
Updates to the Malibu’s floor console, center stack trim, front bumper, and front seat panels were all attributed to rapid prototyping. One-third scale and full-size models were made without changes to production tooling, which could costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“When you need to get intricate, fully functional prototype parts quickly, nothing beats rapid prototyping,” said Todd Pawlik, chief engineer, Chevrolet mid- and full-size cars. “Our ability to rapidly fabricate inexpensive prototype parts throughout a vehicle enables key components to get confirmed earlier so that we can go from computer models to production-caliber parts.”
GALLERY: 2014 Chevy Malibu
GALLERY: 2014 Chevy Malibu Live Shots
Discuss this story at ChevyMalibuForum.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation