Editor’s Note
This article highlights Kia’s collaboration with additive manufacturing specialist OECHSLER to integrate 3D-printed seat structures into its EV2 concept SUV. The innovation focuses on lightweight, lattice-designed components, including what is reportedly the largest 3D-printed automotive part to date.
We continue this 3DExpress with Kia, which has unveiled the new Kia EV2, a concept SUV that incorporates 3D-printed seat structures. To achieve this, it has joined forces with the German company OECHSLER, a specialist in additive manufacturing. The project includes the removable front seatbacks and the rear cushion, developed with a lattice structure made of air- and light-permeable TPU. The rear cushion is particularly noteworthy, considered by OECHSLER to be the largest 3D-printed component installed in a car to date. Furthermore, each piece was chromatically matched to the vehicle’s exterior color and polished for a premium finish. As for the new member of Kia’s EV family, it stands out for the absence of a central pillar and a spacious dashboard. What do you think of this urban design?
HP Barcelona has celebrated its 40th anniversary with the launch of a new AI Hub, dedicated to artificial intelligence. The center, located in Sant Cugat, was founded in 1985 and has become HP’s largest R&D hub outside the United States. Over the past 40 years, it has driven major advances in printing and additive manufacturing. Now, the new hub will incorporate over 200 specialists to develop AI-based solutions that optimize processes and improve efficiency across various sectors. According to Daniel Martínez, the center’s director, this initiative marks a new step in HP’s commitment to innovation. He stated to the media:
A team from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has presented an advance in printing highly resistant metal and ceramic structures. Led by Daryl Yee from the ALCHEMY laboratory, the group employs a vat photopolymerization process using a special hydrogel. After being infused with metal salts, the hydrogel generates nanoparticles that reinforce the material without deforming its original shape. The new technique reduces shrinkage during heat treatment from 90% to just 20%, preserving the geometry of complex parts like gyroids, which are ideal for lightweight and strong applications. Furthermore, it allows the final material to be decided after printing, facilitating the creation of customized metallic or ceramic combinations. According to the scientists, their technique could have applications in the biomedical, energy, and advanced sensor sectors.
In this 3DExpress, we also tell you about a Texas company you might not know: HiveASMBLD. The company is dedicated to the construction of prefabricated houses using 3D printing and is currently developing two ambitious projects aimed at making housing affordable in Texas. In the town of Marfa, known for its artistic atmosphere but affected by rising real estate prices, the company is building nine single-family homes under the name Lumen Villas, with prices starting at $345,000, below the local average of $495,000. In Houston, HiveASMBLD is progressing with a set of 80 3D-printed homes. According to its development director, Robert Spiegel, these projects demonstrate how advanced construction techniques can help mitigate the housing crisis affecting Texas and much of the U.S. The houses, ranging from 1,500 to 1,860 square feet, will feature solid walls and structures resistant to extreme weather. The first home will be ready by the end of October, and the entire set of houses will be completed in 2026.
We cannot close this 3DExpress without telling you about new products in the sector. Last week, 3D Systems launched the MJP 300W Plus, its most advanced wax 3D printer, designed for manufacturing high-precision jewelry. The MJP 300W Plus allows for printing detailed wax patterns with soluble and meltable supports that minimize manual finishing and polishing of precious metal pieces. Additionally, its architecture focuses on data security, as design files are stored locally to protect users’ intellectual property, complying with cybersecurity standards set to take effect in 2027 in the U.S. and Europe.
