By Laura Pitts
SEMA Garage's new partnership with BigRep America is bringing large-format 3D printing capabilities to members at the Diamond Bar, California, facility.
The latest news from SEMA Garage is big––by design. A new partnership with BigRep America is bringing large-format 3D printing capabilities to members at the Diamond Bar, California, facility.
The centerpiece of the partnership at the Diamond Bar facility is the BigRep STUDIO. The purpose-built 3D printer can produce full-scale parts in one go––including components as large as wheels, fender flares or even fenders––using a range of materials, including engineering-grade thermoplastics suitable for some functional applications.
For SEMA members developing new products, the addition opens the door to faster times, larger prototype parts and new possibilities during the product development process.
Thinking Bigger With Large-Format Printing
One of the most important advantages of the new system is its build envelope, which refers to the maximum 3D space a machine can fabricate within, defined by its length, width and height.
For manufacturers, that lack of size limitation can directly influence design thinking.
"The size you can create something limits the size you can imagine something. So, a large-format 3D printer allows our members to imagine physically larger, bigger and better solutions," said Jim Moore, vice president of OEM and product development for SEMA Garage.
In short, the technology lets members literally think bigger about what they can design and build.
(Left) BigRep's infill pattern for its large-format 3D printing projects. (Right) The BigRep STUDIO in the Diamond Bar, California, SEMA Garage facility.
The ability to print large parts in a single piece also removes a common hurdle in additive manufacturing.
"We're oftentimes limited by the ability to make a large piece that doesn't require printing it in smaller components and then gluing them together. Accessing a machine that can produce large-scale items empowers our members to push the envelopes of their product development," said Moore.
Faster Prototyping and Shorter Lead Times
Beyond size capabilities, 3D printing brings another major advantage to the automotive aftermarket: speed. For businesses developing new aftermarket components, that speed can significantly reduce development timelines.
"People are already using 3D printing on these components, but now they can really scale up the application with the new printer," Moore said.
The types of parts that can be created using the BigRep STUDIO in the SEMA Garage California facility span a wide range of aftermarket applications.
From Intake Systems to Interior Panels & More
The types of parts that can be created using the BigRep STUDIO in the California facility span a wide range of aftermarket applications.
Examples include:
- Air boxes
- Brake pedal components
- Dashboards and interior trim
- Ducting
- Exterior body panels
- Intake manifolds
- One-piece wheels
- Virtually any intake component
One particularly creative example currently being explored at SEMA Garage is a printed wheel used for suspension mock-ups and clearance testing.
"Virtually any intake product," including intake manifolds, can be printed in this new BigRep STUDIO large-format 3D printer in Diamond Bar, California.
"We're attempting to print an entire one-piece wheel for suspension modification and mock-up, to check clearances inside wheel wells. The materials are strong enough to even mount a tire, creating new opportunities to speed product development," Moore said.
Expanding Access to Advanced Manufacturing
For smaller aftermarket companies in particular, access to the technology can be transformative.
"It puts cutting-edge technology within reach," Moore said. "Ten years ago, 3D printing was considered exotic. And we were early on that curve and had a very expensive machine. And what we've seen is that over the last decade, the cost and access to that capability has come down so much that, for many companies today, this is just a fundamental part of their manufacturing process and R&D process."
SEMA Garage officials encourage members to reach out with ideas and explore how large-format printing could support their product development projects.
Through SEMA Garage, members can tap into the technology without having to invest in large-format equipment themselves.
Looking Ahead: New Materials and Possible Detroit Expansion
The partnership also allowed Moore to reflect on where additive manufacturing is headed next.
"So when we look forward to what's next [in the automotive 3D printing realm], we see two camps: sheer build scale––the ability for these machines to create even larger components––as well as the materials that are being used to manufacture with," Moore said. "So, this can be advanced composites, carbon-fiber filaments, all the way to metallurgical additive manufacturing with materials such as Inconel, stainless steel, copper and other materials."
Moore said these developments are shaping future plans for the SEMA Garage network.
"We are looking right now at bringing metal 3D printing to Detroit in the future. We're in the process of working through partners on that front to bring that. If all goes to plan, we'll be able to address potentially both areas of innovation: with large format here in Diamond Bar and metal 3D printing in Detroit," Moore shared.
Once added, this will allow SEMA members to prototype larger, heavier-duty components in Detroit.
How Members Can Use the BigRep STUDIO in SoCal
SEMA Garage officials encourage members to reach out with ideas and explore how large-format printing could support their product development projects.
"I think that this machine [at the SEMA Garage Diamond Bar facility] offers an opportunity both on being able to support our members through their R&D and prototyping,” said Moore.
Yes, your brand's next product launch can go smoother, faster and on a larger scale thanks to SEMA Garage's expanded capabilities.
"We're also looking to our members to help us showcase the capability and inspiration that these machines can bring," said Moore, and interested members can contact SEMA Garage directly at productdevelopment@sema.org.
