Bentley is now 3D printing parts, and throwing big money behind it
Published on Feb 24, 2022 at 11:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Mar 09, 2022 at 11:21 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
Bentley is investing $4 million to manufacture 3D printed parts.
The British manufacturer recently shared details of the multimillion dollar investment to double down on what they call ‘Additive Manufacturing’.
The luxury brand now has a state-of-the-art facility used to 3D print as many as 15,000 components in 2021 alone, including disc brakes and even the Flying B bonnet ornament.
The British manufacturer is the latest to join the trend which is allowing brands to simplify and accelerate the manufacturing process of components they would otherwise have to outsource.
This is especially necessary in today’s market, with the ongoing supply chain crisis.
The bad news is you can’t 3D print semiconductor chips (for now), but the good news is you can still 3D print many other key components with no significant costs after the initial investment which, admittedly, is considerable.
This is a big deal.
Three million British pounds sounds like a lot, and it is, but imagine the potential benefits for Bentley if it allows them to print thousands of Flying B mascots and tens of thousands of disc brakes every year.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
