International. Sustainability is a priority today. So Ford continues to promote the future of automotive 3D printing, this time partnering with HP to innovatively reuse used 3D printed powders and parts, closing the loop and turning them into injection molded vehicle parts.
For both companies this has been achieved through joint exploration. Against this, they affirm that "the resulting injection molded parts are better for the environment without compromising the durability and quality standards demanded by their customers."
The recycled materials are being used to make injection molded fuel pipe clips that were first installed on the F-250 Super Duty vans. "The parts have better chemical and moisture resistance than conventional versions, are 7% lighter and cost 10% less. Ford's research team identified another 10 fuel line clips in existing vehicles that could benefit from this innovative use of material and are migrating to future models."
Regarding the development of 3D printing as a generator of a more circular and sustainable economy, Debbie Mielewski, Ford's technical member in the area of sustainability, argued that this allows: "Finding new ways to work with sustainable materials, reducing waste and leading the development of the circular economy are passions at Ford."
"Many companies are finding excellent uses for 3D printing technologies, but, together with HP, we are the first to find a high-value application for waste dust that would likely have gone to landfill, transforming it into functional and durable auto parts".
It is noteworthy that HP 3D printers are designed for high efficiency, with systems and structures to minimize the excess material they generate and reuse a greater percentage of the materials that are put into them.
Regarding the methodology implemented to reduce excess material and be able to reuse it, Ellen Jackowski, HP's director of sustainability and social impact, said that these "are obtained from 3D manufacturing processes, but we always strive to do more, driving our industry forward to find new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle powders and parts."
