BMW Says Broad Industrialization of Additive Manufacturing Is on Track — WAAM Series Production Starts 2027

BMW Doubles Down on Additive Manufacturing

BMW Group is reinforcing its commitment to additive manufacturing as it transitions the technology from rapid prototyping to full-scale series production. According to a new Q&A with Timo Göbel, Head of Additive Manufacturing at BMW Group, the automaker is "clearly on track toward the broad industrialization of additive manufacturing."

The BMW Additive Manufacturing Campus (AMC) in Oberschleißheim, Germany, has been operational since 2020 and has already produced over 1.6 million components. More than 100,000 components are now produced annually at vehicle plants worldwide.

From Prototype to Production

BMW was an early adopter of 3D printing, receiving EOS's first Stereos 400 system back in 1990. The technology has come a long way since then. Polymer brackets for the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 2012 marked BMW's first series production use, followed by metal components for the BMW i8 Roadster in 2017.

"Additive manufacturing is an increasingly important tool for fast, flexible, and technically advanced development processes," Göbel stated, emphasizing how AM is now embedded across the entire BMW production network.

WAAM Enters Series Production in 2027

One of the most significant developments is BMW's integration of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). After beginning exploration in 2024, vehicle testing has been underway since 2025, and series production of the first large-format WAAM components is expected to commence in 2027.

The company is also integrating an "entirely new generation of metal 3D printers" as part of its scaling strategy, with automated, digitally networked process chains and open-material systems being key pillars.

Training the Workforce

Beyond technology, BMW is actively embedding AM expertise and training across the organization to "create the foundation for sustainable scaling throughout the entire company." This holistic approach includes systems from Farsoon, HP, and TRUMPF (now ATLIX) at their campus.