Hyundai has installed two VX1000 HSS polymer 3D printers from ExOne Global Holdings at its Namyang R&D Center in South Korea. These printers utilize High Speed Sintering technology, allowing them to create large, accurate components, such as complete door panels, in a single run. The machines aim to streamline production processes, reducing tolerance errors associated with multiple parts.
Hyundai’s investment in this technology is aimed at enhancing workflow efficiency—by producing single-piece components, the company can bypass long tooling lead times and expedite development, cutting design iteration times from weeks to just days. The Additive Manufacturing Solutions team at Namyang will manage a range of tasks including pre-production parts, small-batch production, and urgent component sourcing.
The installation is part of a broader consolidation of additive manufacturing capabilities at Hyundai, which aggregates various printing processes under one roof. This facility is designed to produce both polymer and metal components, with a focus on functional prototyping and full-scale production validation.
In contrast, other manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover primarily use their additive capabilities for prototyping, highlighting a gap in scaling for larger production needs compared to Hyundai’s strategic approach.
