Volkswagen uses AI and 3D printing to design vehicles

Volkswagen is experimenting with artificial intelligence, which will dramatically change the way parts are manufactured, and the frequency of its 3D printing cutting-edge technology continues to rise. The plan may significantly reduce the weight of the car, providing design flexibility for the company's future models and making parts that are less common in appearance.

The Volkswagen Group's Innovation and Engineering Center California (IECC) recently demonstrated a modern electric version that reshaped the 1962 Microbus. The core elements of the Volkswagen Type 20 concept car include bright yellow wheels, side mirror brackets, steering wheels and other components. Compared to manual design, AI design implements Generative Design.

Artificial intelligence brings many advantages, allowing you to quickly learn the engineer's focus – structural strength and lightweight design, through technical iterations to meet relevant design standards. At the time of design, it is also necessary to consider the structure of the components, take into account the external forces of all parties, and start the new design.

The IECC team is still looking for new ways to make parts. In the Type 20 concept, heavy-duty design parts are also made from traditional raw materials such as metal. However, the Volkswagen Group also values ​​the additive manufacturing process and completes the production of 3D printed parts or will replace injection molded parts or milled parts.

According to IECC, the ultimate goal is to achieve integration and recycling of all aspects: the use of recycled plastic parts from old parts to create new parts, with the aim of significantly saving raw materials and using lightweight technology to improve product performance, even products The end of life has come to an end and waste utilization can be achieved.

From the pure use of AI to complete the complete design of the vehicle, from the current point of view, the target is still a long way, and it is unlikely to use 3D printing technology to complete the entire car. However, this is the development goal of generative design and 3D printing technology. IECC aims to prove that this technology is more flexible than traditional manufacturing processes, and can maintain the strength and flexibility of parts, and can also generate costs. benefit. At present, the buyers of Lamborghini have benefited a lot. As many of Volkswagen's platforms begin to share the car platform, future customized components will gradually become mainstream.