Not if, but when: auto industry explores metal 3D printing

Additive manufacturing remains largely associated with plastic part production, but developments in recent years have seen the growth of 3D printing using metal powders. In common with additive technologies using other materials, the technology is already firmly established as reliable and robust in the fields of prototyping and product development. Now the conversation has turned to whether developments can usher in an age of large-scale serial production of metal parts via 3D printing.