GIFA 2023

voxeljet Brings Fully Automated 3D Printing Into Series Production in the Automotive Industry

voxeljet AG (NASDAQ: VJET) is presenting a milestone in additive series production at this year's GIFA show in Düsseldorf. Together with its partner Loramendi, voxeljet has developed and implemented a process and system for the automatic large-scale production of inorganic sand cores for light metal casting for the BMW Group plant in Landshut. The production line features voxeljet’s next generation VX1300-X (VJET X) 3D printers. The 3D printers are integrated into a fully automated pre- and post-processing workflow, including industrial microwaves for the curing of 3D printed cores. This solution offers a tailor-made, powerful and innovative solution for the production of BMW's high-performance engines.

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ICP production line at the BMW Group plant in Landshut, Germany (Photo: Loramendi)

In addition to the ICP project, voxeljet will be showcasing other industrial 3D printers, 3D printing solutions and innovations such as the award-winning Sharrow propeller at its booth in hall 16 at booth D23.

After years of research and optimization, a joint vision goes live: voxeljet and Loramendi present their flagship project for BMW Group Plant Landshut at this year's GIFA foundry trade fair. As part of our cooperation project ICP (Industrialization of Core Printing), we have developed a fully automated and integrated production line for the inorganic large-scale production of sand cores using 3D printing.

Nine become one: Advantages of 3D printing

By using 3D printing in the production of water jacket cores, the design of the cylinder head for the BMW B48 engine can be significantly improved. The inorganic process protects the environment and improves working conditions, as only steam is produced during casting. At the same time, the efficiency and consumption of the engine can be optimized due to the complex design of the component. No other technology made it possible to mass-produce such a complex element in a cost-efficient manner. Instead of the previous nine complex individual parts, BMW can now produce the core entirely in one piece using 3D printing. The ICP production line completely automates and optimizes the once manual and tedious process. Five voxeljet VX1300-X 3D printers now produce thousands of cores fully automatically every week using the binder jetting process. These are then unpacked, hardened, cleaned and prepared for casting in unpacking stations, microwaves and cleaning cells specifically developed by Loramendi.