How Birmingham’s Automotive Industry is Using 3D Printing for Faster Production

By Sam Gribben
August 13, 2025
12:00 pm

Birmingham has long been the beating heart of the UK’s automotive industry, and today automotive 3D printing in Birmingham is helping manufacturers and suppliers work faster, reduce costs, and innovate at speed. Across the city, automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and engineering firms are embracing industrial-grade 3D printing to work faster, reduce costs, and unlock new design possibilities.

From rapid prototyping to functional end-use parts, additive manufacturing is transforming the way cars and components are designed, tested, and produced. With its ability to create complex geometries, reduce lead times, and remove the need for costly tooling, 3D printing is quickly becoming a standard part of Birmingham’s automotive toolkit.

At SGD 3D, we supply ISO 9001-certified FDM, SLA, and SLS printing to automotive clients across Birmingham — delivering high-quality, functional parts in just days. Let’s look at how the city’s automotive industry is using this technology to stay ahead.

Rapid Prototyping for Vehicle Components

In the competitive automotive sector, speed to market is critical. The faster a manufacturer can move from concept to physical prototype, the faster they can refine designs and start production.

With automotive 3D printing Birmingham engineers can:

Prototypes can be produced in a matter of days instead of weeks.
Design iterations are quick and cost-effective, with no need for expensive moulds.
Fit, form, and function can be validated early in the design process.

For example, a Birmingham-based tier-one supplier recently used our SLA printing service to create high-detail dashboard component prototypes. The ultra-smooth finish allowed for accurate visual assessment, while the fast turnaround enabled approval in under a week — cutting their development cycle in half.

➡ Related service: 3D Printing in Birmingham

Custom Tooling, Jigs, and Fixtures

Automotive production lines depend on precision tooling, jigs, and fixtures to ensure consistency and efficiency. Traditionally, these tools are machined from metal — a process that can take weeks and cost thousands.

3D printing offers a faster, more flexible alternative:

Custom Fit: Tools can be designed for specific vehicle models or unique assembly steps.
Lightweight Handling: FDM-printed tooling in reinforced plastics reduces worker fatigue.
Rapid Production: New fixtures can be printed in days, reducing downtime.

One Birmingham assembly plant replaced a set of heavy metal fixtures with carbon fibre-reinforced nylon equivalents. The result? Faster production, safer handling, and a 70% reduction in lead time.

Source: Eccles

Lightweight Functional Parts

Weight reduction has a direct impact on vehicle performance, fuel economy, and emissions — all key concerns in today’s automotive market.

3D printing allows for the production of lightweight, high-strength parts that traditional methods struggle to achieve. Using materials like Nylon PA12 or carbon fibre composites, manufacturers can:

Create hollow or lattice structures that maintain strength while shedding weight.
Integrate multiple components into a single, lighter assembly.
Reduce material waste compared to CNC machining.

These lightweight parts aren’t just for concept cars — they’re making their way into production models, motorsport applications, and electric vehicles designed in and around Birmingham.

Source: Wired

Spare Parts and Low-Volume Production

For classic cars, specialist vehicles, or low-volume runs, sourcing or manufacturing parts can be challenging.

With 3D printing:

Obsolete Parts Are Back in Play: Components can be reverse-engineered and printed on demand.
Low-Volume Production: Economical without the need for expensive injection moulds.
Just-in-Time Manufacturing: Eliminates the need for large stockpiles.

A Birmingham garage specialising in classic car restorations now uses our SLS printing service to create durable nylon replacement parts for vintage interiors. These parts match original specifications, but are available in days rather than months.

Source: Formlabs

Collaboration Across the Supply Chain

The automotive sector is highly collaborative — designers, engineers, and suppliers often work across multiple locations. Digital manufacturing makes this much easier.

With 3D printing:

Design files can be securely shared and printed locally.
Engineers can review and modify designs without shipping physical prototypes.
Supply chains become more agile, reducing the risk of delays.

For Birmingham-based companies that supply parts to OEMs elsewhere in the UK (or even globally), this means faster, more efficient production and less downtime waiting for samples to arrive.

Birmingham’s ecosystem is interconnected with other Midlands cities. 3D printing supports collaboration between manufacturers, research centres, and educational institutions.

With Derby: Aerospace and advanced manufacturers are utilising 3D printing as part of their supply chain to to support manufacturing processes – read our blog on Why Derby’s Aerospace Industry Relies on 3D Printing
With Nottingham: Universities and research facilities are working on aerospace material development — read our blog on Education 3D Printing in Nottingham to see how this supports automotive 3D Printing.

Proving Ground for Electric Vehicle Innovation

Birmingham is also playing a role in the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), with automotive 3D printing Birmingham projects supporting battery design, lightweight chassis development, and advanced cooling solutions.

3D printing helps EV developers in several ways:

Battery Housing Prototypes: Create and test enclosures quickly.
Cooling System Components: Complex geometries improve heat management.
Lightweight Structural Parts: Help offset heavy battery weight.

These innovations are keeping Birmingham competitive as the automotive industry undergoes one of its biggest transformations in decades.

Source: Design News

From design studios to assembly plants, 3D printing is transforming Birmingham’s automotive industry. Faster prototyping, lighter components, custom tooling, and on-demand parts are helping businesses cut costs, speed up production, and innovate more effectively.

At SGD 3D, we’re proud to work with the city’s automotive leaders, providing the materials, processes, and quality standards they need to succeed.

📦 Get started today: Order 3D printed parts in Birmingham — upload your file for an instant online quote.

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