The automotive industry is both one of the earliest and biggest adopters of 3D printing technologies. Even a decade or two ago, car manufacturers realized the potential hidden in 3D printing and began investing in it. This meant buying industrial 3D printers as well as setting up entire R&D labs around additive manufacturing, and its value is only expected to keep on growing.
What was once a prototyping technique has evolved to so much more, considering some modern cars already have fully 3D printed components as they leave the factory.
After the automotive industry’s big players first started to implement 3D printing, soon came the time for smaller-scale ventures to do the same. With costs of equipment slowly coming down, 3D printing has become more affordable to experiment with. This has resulted in smaller ventures like custom body shops and smaller racing teams to start implementing 3D printing for making all sorts of parts, from ducts, caps, and vents to even some mechanical pieces.
Before we take a look at sources to find and 3D print car parts, let’s take a closer look at how the different industries connect.
What's Printable?
What’s so attractive about 3D printing is its ability to provide fast implementation of new parts, as well as greater design freedom. In the mainstream automotive industry, 3D printing is used for several purposes. One of the widely adopted applications is the printing of jigs and fixtures used for making the cars themselves, something that Volkswagen has done. These parts are mostly alignment tools used for positioning badges, checking symmetry and panel gaps, and more.
Some manufacturers have also started implementing 3D printed components in their production cars. One good example is BMW, which fitted 3D printed roof brackets as a part of a roof retracting mechanism on an i8 Roadster.
More design freedom results in more efficient structures, which can either save weight or improve airflow and therefore increase performance. Swedish hypercar manufacturer Koenigsegg has used 3D printing for creating a variable turbo housing, extracting even higher performance figures. They’ve also 3D printed an exhaust tip in titanium, which saves weight.
However, 3D printing of car parts goes beyond the mainstream industry, reaching hobbyists and individuals who use it for making modifications to their vehicles as well as printing spare parts. In short, what started as an experiment for massive corporations has slowly become available even for hobbyists to play with. Lost a hub cap? These days you can print one at home, or opt for a 3D printing service if you don’t have access to a 3D printer.
In this article, we’ll focus on how to find and print car parts. Not accessories, but actual parts, ranging from hobbyist activity to low-level professional applications. We’ll mostly avoid heavy industrial applications and focus on more consumer-friendly options for 3D printed car parts.
Sources for Ready-to-Use Designs
The 3D printing of car parts is split between professionals and advanced hobbyists. A large number of car parts for 3D printing are designed within organizations such as large automakers or firms doing limited production runs of high-performance vehicles.
This means that 3D printing is used by both large and small auto-makers, like Ford and Bugatti. These 3D printable designs can’t be accessed by the public, since they contain quite a bit of intellectual property in the form of patents or protected models.
We shouldn’t forget use cases for experienced hobbyists, too. Those with the know-how can produce car parts for themselves at home. Hobbyists who 3D print certain car parts sometimes upload their designs to online repositories, which means other people who might be looking for the same part can easily gain access to it.
While you won’t be able to find every part imaginable, parts from popularly owned cars are most likely to be found. For example, one source we’ll cover features quite a lot of parts suitable for BMW vehicles. Let’s take a look.
GrabCAD
GrabCAD is a large online community of engineers and designers, offering 3D printing software applications as well as a 3D model marketplace (called the CAD Library).
In total, GrabCAD’s CAD library contains over 5 million 3D models. The search offers the “Automotive” category, which helps narrow down your criteria. From hub caps to oil dip-sticks to interior components of mass-produced cars, it’s all on GrabCAD, ready to be downloaded and 3D printed.
- Selection: The “Automotive” category has 10,000 files.
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Free
Thingiverse
Thingiverse is one of the best known online 3D model repositories. It hosts all sorts of 3D models, including some functional car parts.
Although the majority of car-related parts on Thingiverse are either accessories related to phone mounts and cup holders or scale models of cars, there are a few functional components, too. For example, if you own one of the Volkswagen, Seat, or Skoda cars specified on the page and your armrest clip breaks, download a model from Thingiverse and print it at home!
Thingiverse has an “Automotive” category under “Hobby”, and a “Vehicles” category under the “Models” section, but the latter will mostly display printable scale models. With that in mind, make sure to be specific with your search keywords, as that’s your best chance for finding the parts you’re after.
- Selection: The “Automotive” category has over 400 files.
- Quality: Amateur
- Pricing: Free
3DMixers
3DMixers may not be as big as Thingiverse, but there are an impressive 10,000 3D automotive models listed. Handles, clips, speaker enclosures, and lots more can be found, it’s just a matter of either scrolling through the collection or entering specific keywords in the search bar.
The website itself features a clean, simple design. There are many categories to choose from, with “Automotive” yielding the most relevant results. You can also just type “car part(s)” in the search bar and plenty will come up. Also, all the models are free, making this a hidden gem of a site for 3D models of car parts.
- Selection: The “Automotive” category has over 10,000 files.
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Free
Treatstock
Treatstock is an online platform that offers manufacturing services in the form of 3D printing, CNC machining, and cutting. We’ve found it also has some really great car parts on offer.
There are some seat adjuster handles and hinges that are indeed functional parts that can be ordered via Treatstock. Whereas platforms like Thingiverse offer you to download the 3D models, Treatstock is different.
People list their models on Treatstock and offer you to order the parts for a certain fee. This means that the model provider deals with making the parts, too. For example, you can order some Peugeot seat adjuster handles for $12.50 a pair.
There isn’t a huge range of car parts on Treatstock, but it’s still worth a look. Some of the parts listed in the “Vehicles & Accessories” category aren’t commercially available anymore, so the only way to get them is to reverse engineer and 3D print them, which is how Treatstock positions itself as an interesting source for some car parts.
- Selection: The “Vehicles & Accessories” category has 40 files.
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Reasonable
STLBase
STLBase is a search engine for 3D models that are listed elsewhere online. This means that the platform will provide you with a list of results corresponding to your search criteria, but the models themselves are downloadable from sites like those mentioned above. It’s a great way to efficiently search multiple repositories for parts that you’re looking for.
Considering it brings together the selections from all the popular 3D model repositories, there’s a great variety of parts to be found on STLBase. For example, browse for “bmw parts”, and it will bring up quite a few BMW parts. There’s also the possibility of clicking on “Order printed” on the specific design, and you’ll be able to do just that!
- Selection: Hard to quantify but presumably comprehensive, given that it brings together models listed on popular sites.
- Quality: Amateur and professional
- Pricing: Free and paid
Software for Designing
As you can imagine, software plays an enormously important role in the automotive industry. Software tools can be used for the creation of parts, as well as for performing virtual performance testing and other optimization techniques.
From straightforward CAD solutions to software packages consisting of multiple simulation and modeling tools, there are quite a few options to choose from when wanting to design car parts. Keep in mind that designing car parts may not be the best practice for a CAD newbie, but advanced users and full-time pros will know and appreciate many of the features these tools are offering.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll present some of the best CAD software options for automotive parts, as well as some other tools that can be helpful when designing parts for manufacturing on a 3D printer. While there are some pretty steep subscription prices, it’s always worth checking if you might be eligible for a free trial or educational license.
AutoCAD
Although AutoCAD appeals to a wider audience than just automotive engineers, it’s a foundational tool in Autodesk‘s range of software and certainly worth mentioning.
An advanced hobbyist most likely won’t be using AutoCAD for designing or replicating car parts, but AutoCAD is indeed used by manufacturers in the development of entire components of vehicles, for both interior and exterior.
For example, AutoCAD can be used for designing the layout of a steering wheel, including the placement of switches and buttons. After all, AutoCAD is the “original” CAD, so rest assured, it has plenty of tools to support your creativity.
- Features: 3D modeling (solid, surface & mesh modeling), rendering
- Compatible with: Newest version requires Windows 10 (64 bit)
- Price: ∼$1,800/year
Inventor
Inventor is Autodesk’s product specifically made for designing mechanical components. What makes it quite attractive for automotive parts is its wide array of modeling options and great simulation tools.
Inventor is also compatible with Autodesk’s cloud network, meaning it’s friendly for teamwork, if needed.
While it has a price tag that may not be affordable for average hobbyists, for those who are looking to invest, it’s one of the best options out there.
- Features: Parametric modeling, assembly modeling, collaboration tools
- Compatible with: Windows 7 or newer (64 bit)
- Price: ∼$2,300/year
Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is yet another tool from Autodesk’s brilliant portfolio of software. It’s mostly aimed toward advanced hobbyists, but some industry professionals use it, too.
It’s a tool that covers a wide spectrum of possibilities, including CAD, CAM, and CAE. Considering the audience Fusion 360 mostly appeals to, there’s a possibility to get it for free if you’re a small business or a student, for example. If you don’t qualify for a free license, you’ll need to pay $495 per year.
- Features: CAD, CAM, CAE, PCB
- Compatible with: Windows 8 or newer, MacOS Mojave or newer
- Price: ∼$500/year
Catia
Catia is a powerful CAD tool developed by Dassault Systèmes that’s used by many engineers and designers in the aerospace and automotive industries.
It offers parametric and non-parametric modeling, so it’s no wonder that it’s a popular choice within the automotive industry, considering it has plenty of powerful features.
From designing parts to testing them by running simulations, as well as the capability for render creation, Catia has it all.
- Features: CAD, CAE, CAM
- Compatible with: Windows 7 or newer (64 bit)
- Price: Depends on configuration, so it’s best to contact sales; expect to pay ∼$4,500/year
- Where to get it: Dassault Systèmes
SolidWorks
SolidWorks is owned by Dassault Systèmes, just like Catia. Whereas Catia is aimed towards designing entire machines such as cars and aircrafts, SolidWorks is more aimed towards designing individual components.
We could say that SolidWorks is a more user-friendly solution since it has a user interface that’s perhaps easier to understand. All in all, it’s a perfect tool for engineers, so designing car parts should be a breeze.
- Features: 3D solid modeling, assemblies, 2D drawings, CAM, CAE
- Compatible with: Windows 7 or newer (64 bit)
- Price: ~$4,000 for a standalone license
- Where to get it: SolidWorks
Best 3D Printers
Once you’ve completed designing your parts, you’ll obviously need a 3D printer to make the parts themselves. Determining which is the best machine for the purpose of making a specific part heavily depends on its function and which materials you’re planning to to work with. For example, mechanical components should probably be 3D printed in metal, but parts that don’t deal with much heat and wear can be plastic.
Whatever your application might require, we’ll present five different 3D printers that sit at different price points and offer a diverse range of technologies. This way, everyone should be able to find something that suits them, or that at least closely matches their requirements.
Prusa i3 MK3S+
You’ve all heard of this one. The Prusa i3 MK3 is rated by many as one of the best FDM 3D printers, even somewhat beyond its class. The newest version is the MK3S+, and it features some small changes, among which the most notable are the new bearings and a new mesh bed-leveling sensor.
Prusa Research printers need no further introduction, they’re known for performing very well and being reliable. For printing car parts in particular, this will work well as they can print with a number of different filaments. Printing air vents in PETG, for example, will be just fine, especially at the highest quality setting. You can also use some of Prusa’s own filament, Prusament, and the end results are likely to be brilliant.
A 1-kg spool of Prusament ships with all new MK3S+ orders, so you’ll even have some filament to start making car parts as soon as you receive your purchase.
For an FDM machine, the MK3S+ is a mid-range budget option, but it’s definitely worth its price tag. You can either order the MK3S+ as a kit, or pay a little more and have it shipped ready to run.
- Build volume: 250 × 210 × 210 cm
- Price: ∼$970 (kit) or ∼$1,300 (assembled)
Ultimaker S5
Ultimaker is a Dutch firm known for its professional desktop FDM machines. The Ultimaker S5 is one of Ultimaker’s most advanced offerings. In fact, we think it’s the best dual extruder 3D printer.
Whereas a 3D printer like Prusa’s MK3S+ is more suited toward hobby applications, the Ultimaker S5 may be more fitting for professionals and small businesses. This is both due to its price tag and its capabilities.
The S5 features a 330 x 240 x 300 mm build volume, as well as a dual extruder, all housed in an enclosure. This enclosed housing allows for printing with more demanding materials, such as ABS and other engineering filaments.
If you’re looking to 3D print car parts from a more professional standpoint, the S5 will deliver. Its multi-material capabilities paired with a rather large build volume and two extruders make for a powerful FDM machine easily capable of printing almost anything.
- Build volume: 330 x 240 x 300 mm
- Price: ∼$6,000
Formlabs Form 3
You might think that printing functional car parts with a resin 3D printer might not make sense, as resin prints are known for being weaker and more brittle. Well, with the advancements in resin development, now there are resins strong enough to be used for making functional parts like door handles, seat adjuster wheels, and other similar car parts.
Formlabs is a familiar name in resin printing, positioning itself as one of the leaders in the industry. The Form 3 is a resin printer aimed at more advanced users as well as professionals and companies. What makes the Form 3 an attractive option for printing car parts isn’t only its amazing printing precision, but also the array of resins Formlabs has to offer.
With the tough and durable resins, you can produce parts that won’t easily break, and the level of detail on those parts can be phenomenal. Making parts on a resin 3D printer coupled with some quality resin is the closest you can get to OEM plastic vehicle parts.
- Build volume: 145 × 145 × 185 mm
- Price: Starts at ∼$3,500
Elegoo Mars 3
If a high-end printer like the Formlabs Form 3 is a bit out of reach for you, a cheaper resin 3D printer isn’t a bad alternative at all. The Elegoo Mars 3 is one of the hottest budget resin 3D printers. For a price tag of $300, it brings a lot to the table, starting with a 4K screen.
Elegoo claims that the new Elegoo 3 is able to deliver very fast printing, with timings for each layer varying between 1.5 and 3 seconds. Pair the fast printing capability and the precision of the 4K screen with some quality resin, and you’ve got yourself a very capable budget resin printer.
Perhaps the best use of the Elegoo Mars 3 when it comes to car parts is interior components, like handles, switches, and buttons. The best resin for that purpose would be Elegoo’s own ABS-like resin, but it never hurts to experiment with other brands as well. Just don’t forget to adjust settings like exposure times when dealing with third-party resins.
- Build volume: 143 x 90 x 165 mm
- Price: ∼$300
Sinterit Lisa Pro
Although the majority of people wanting to 3D print car parts themselves will have their needs fulfilled by either FDM or resin 3D printers, there’s always room for taking things to the next level, so we’ll take a look at an SLS 3D printer.
Desktop SLS printers are a very new concept, and yet here is the Sinterit Lisa Pro, an SLS printer that’s very compact when compared to most SLS machines on the market. The idea behind the Lisa Pro is to bring SLS technology closer to individual consumers in terms of price and practicality. The size of the Lisa Pro makes it possible for smaller workshops to incorporate it into their workflow, and the pricing makes the technology more accessible than before, although it may still be too much for hobbyists.
SLS printers have the capability to produce very precise parts. Combine that with the mechanical properties of the nylon powder the parts are made from, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for making detailed functional parts resistant to heat, exactly what some car parts require.
A printer like this will mostly be attractive to workshops that, for example, specialize in making spare parts for classic cars. Not many of them are available, so 3D printing is the only way to do it. With some requiring heat resistance and complex structures like piping, SLS comes in as a perfect solution.
Combine the price tag of the Sinterit Lisa Pro with the necessary additions such as a de-powdering station, and the price rises further for average hobbyists. Still, it stays well below the usual pricing of SLS machines, which is an achievement in itself.
- Build volume: 50 x 200 x 260 mm
- Price: ∼$18,000 (just the printer) and ∼$25,000 (with dedicated tools)
Outsourcing the Printing Process
If you don’t have access to a 3D printer, the easiest and best way to get your 3D models manufactured is to choose a professional 3D printing service.
In the last 5-6 years, 3D printing services have grown and developed significantly, meaning they’re now capable of offering many materials and technologies, but also able to produce large quantities of parts.
We’ll take a look at five 3D printing services that will make a worthy partner when you want to 3D print some car parts.
Craftcloud
Craftcloud by All3DP is a 3D printing service marketplace. The goal is to match customers with professional 3D printers that will do the best job for the right price.
Here’s how it works: Craftcloud partners with the world’s leading 3D printing service providers to get you the best quote possible. This is achieved by comparing prices from different service providers, as well as automatically eliminating those who don’t meet your requirements. This allows Craftcloud to offer a wide array of materials, technologies, and finishes with reasonably quick lead and delivery times.
Start by uploading your 3D files, choosing the 3D printing technology and materials you want, and you’ll get a variety of quotes based on manufacturers’ location and availability. It’s that easy!
- Available materials: 50+ materials
- Delivery: Worldwide
- Extra services: Quick customer support
Hubs
Hubs is an on-demand manufacturing service offering 3D printing services on FDM, resin, SLS, and MJF 3D printers.
With multiple materials available and lead times of just a few days, it’s certainly a good choice for outsourcing the 3D printing of car parts. Having produced more than 6 million 3D printed parts to date, it’s safe to say Hubs has the expertise even for complex projects.
Like Craftcloud, the platform includes a live quote generator, which comes in handy when you want to compare prices with other service providers. Professional customers may appreciate the table with prices for bulk production, which shows prices for different quantities with increments of either 50 or 100 parts.
- Available materials: PLA, resin, ABS, nylon, PETG, TPU, ASA, PEI, PC
- Delivery: Ships to most countries
- Extra services: Consulting, education
Sculpteo
Just like Hubs, Sculpteo is also one of the largest 3D printing service providers. Sculpteo is capable of producing both small and large quantities of parts – even making tens of thousands of parts is doable.
This is possible due to a large number of machines under Sculpteo’s roof, offering 3D printing in polymers, resins, and metals. With offices across Europe and in the US, logistics are made easier, and parts reach the end customer quite quickly.
Sculpteo also offers a live quote generator that instantly generates a price based upon the material choice and the number of parts required. Considering both Sculpteo and Hubs are big operations, it makes sense to compare the two.
The level of quality is closely matched, as both provide high-quality parts. It’s just a matter of picking what works for you based on lead times and materials you’re after. US customers will appreciate Sculpteo having a 3D printing factory in San Francisco, which might mean faster delivery for most of the US.
- Available materials: 30+ materials
- Delivery: Worldwide
- Extra services: Designing and consulting
Materialise OnSite
OnSite is Materialise’s 3D printing service aimed toward professionals. It’s known for having among the largest fleet of 3D printers in Europe, which is ideal for cutting lead times and meeting the demand of European customers.
It also offers consulting services for choosing the right parameters for your specific application, and Materialise’s in-house engineers and designers are available to help optimize parts to suit specific 3D printing technologies.
- Available materials: Wide range of plastics and metals (see full list)
- Delivery: Worldwide (free for EU customers)
- Extra services: Training and workshops
Shapeways
Shapeways is one of the world’s most popular 3D printing services. Considering their 3D printer portfolio consists of several industrial grade machines, this service is ideal when you need your part printed in a material that will provide properties that can’t be achieved by plastics like PLA and PETG.
Fast lead and delivery times and Shapeways’ technical support and online price generator make it a strong contender among 3D printing services.
- Available materials: Plastics and metals
- Delivery: Ships to most countries
- Extra services: 3D design
Xometry
Xometry is a US-based manufacturing service provider. In its 3D printing portfolio are several technologies to choose from, ranging from the classic trio of FDM, resin, and SLS, all the way to DMLS, metal binder jetting, and HP multi-jet fusion.
Naturally, each of these technologies comes with numerous choices for materials and finishes. The good news is that Xometry has no minimum order requirement, and it even offers free shipping for all US orders.
Considering Xometry has worked with big-name clients like BMW, it’s no doubt a quality service for automotive parts.
- Available materials: Over 70 metals and plastics
- Delivery: Worldwide (free for US orders)
- Extra services: Consulting
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