Porsche and 3D printing, an ever stronger union

In a few years, 3D printers have spread all over the world, even at the consumer level, and have become very important tools for prototyping in many sectors, including the automotive one. Porsche is among the companies that have embraced this technology, dabbling in printing spare parts for classic cars, entire sections of some seats, and even pistons - then installed on a 911 GT2 RS to test its capabilities.

To make these pistons, Porsche used a method called LMF, which involves melting metal using a laser beam using an aluminum powder that is layered to form the new piece. The end result was surprisingly good; the LMF-molded piston is lighter and more optimized, and features a cooling channel that would have been virtually impossible to integrate with classic manufacturing methods.

But that's not all, because the latest news is relating to the new electric powertrain that Porsche is making; using the LMF 3D printing method, Porsche has created a specific outer shell to house the electric motor and the two-speed gearbox inside.

Once again, this type of production allows for a final product lighter, also given the very reduced thickness, but at the same time very resistant thanks to the honeycomb structure that we see on the outside.

Clearly for the moment this production method is not the main one used by Porsche, even if given the very rapid spread of 3D printing machines it is not unthinkable that in the near future they will be used for mass production. To date, the use of 3D printers in the automotive sector is reserved for the most avid customers, those always looking for very specific spare parts and perhaps already out of production; Porsche is very helpful from this point of view, and has mentioned on more than one occasion the possibility of printing spare parts relying on their projects.