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Text: James Woodcock
Every joint in a large prototype part adds assembly work and opens up tolerancing issues, so manufacturers are always looking for ways to reduce them. At the Namyang R&D Center in South Korea Hyundai supports pre-production and test parts, small batches, research prototypes and long-lead parts that would otherwise need tooling.
The automaker has now installed two VX1000 HSS systems from ExOne, to produce large components in one piece and cut assembly effort, joints and tolerance stack-up. The machines print PA12 in a 1,000 x 550 x 190 mm build volume, and an 8,000-nozzle printhead allows parts as large as a complete door panel in a single run.
High Speed Sintering applies an infrared-absorbing ink selectively to the powder, then fuses each layer with a sintering emitter, so temperature control across the whole build volume is critical. Eric Bader, CEO of ExOne Global Holdings, said Hyundai is using the process "for full-scale functional parts."
The two printers share one unpacking station and a central powder supply. Alfred Griesser, Deputy Head of Research and Development at ExOne, said the powder management balances different build jobs and utilization levels. The systems can run on up to 80 percent recycled powder, reportedly without compromise to part quality.
Further information
ExOne at Formnext 2026: Hall 12.1, Booth F51
