Showcase SWISSTECH 2019

3D printed production tools at VW Autoeuropa

High-quality tools, jigs, and fixtures, manufactured on on multiple Ultimaker 3D printers, save Volkswagen Autoeuropa an estimated 325'000 Euro per year.

Thank to in-house 3D printing of tools, jigs and fixtures with Ultimaker 3D printers Volkswagen Autoeuropa achieves a yearly cost saving of up to 325'000 Euro.

Challenge
Before working with Ultimaker, Volkswagen Autoeuropa was using 3rd party suppliers to manufacture their tools. This meant more paperwork, quotations, and the adoption of a trial-and-error approach, all of which were holding up the tool manufacturing process – at additional cost.


Solution
Volkswagen Autoeuropa introduced Ultimaker 3D printers in 2014. Within 2 years, they increased savings from 70% up to 95% in assembly tooling costs. Ultimaker enabled Volkswagen Autoeuropa to test solutions without having to contact suppliers, saving
an average of 8 weeks.


Results and ROI
After having validated the concept in 2014, Volkswagen Autoeuropa now has 7 Ultimaker 3D printers in operation, and 93% of all externally manufactured tools are created in-house. External parts only comprise 7% of their total tool production and the investment is covered after printing just a handful of tools. Overall, the company calculates that they saved 150'000 Euro in 2016 with a target to save 325'000 Euro in 2017.