3-D-Printed Replacement Parts Coming to Mercedes Trucks

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz Trucks unit will begin offering three-dimensionally printed replacement parts this autumn.

Truck owners will be able to select among 30 3-D plastic parts, including air and cable ducts, clamps, control elements, covers, mountings, spacers and spring caps. Mercedes will produce the parts as needed at regional centers using its selective-laser-sintering printing process.

Daimler currently makes 100,000 3-D-printed prototype parts per year across its various divisions. Fulfilling replacement part orders this way will reduce production and warehousing costs and provide quick access to customers even for older trucks no longer in production, the carmaker says.