In the automotive industry, the transmission housing is a critical structural component that directly affects vehicle performance and reliability. Traditional casting methods often face challenges such as long mold development cycles, high costs, and low efficiency in prototype production. However, 3D printed sand casting has emerged as a highly competitive solution.
This case study demonstrates how a major automotive company in Southern China successfully leveraged 3D printed sand casting to manufacture 10 transmission housings in just 30 days, meeting rigorous bench test requirements while significantly reducing development time and costs.
✅ Bench Test Requirements – The transmission housing had to pass strict durability tests to ensure its strength and reliability for mass production.
✅ Rapid Production Demand – Traditional casting methods require at least 2–3 months for mold development, but the customer needed 10 prototype parts within one month for testing.
✅ High-Precision, Complex Structure – The internal design of the transmission housing was intricate, requiring high dimensional accuracy and excellent mechanical properties, which traditional methods could not efficiently deliver within the required timeline.
To meet the customer's rapid prototyping needs, we implemented a 3D printed sand casting solution combined with low-pressure casting, significantly enhancing both production efficiency and product quality.
✅ Equipment: 3DPTEK-J1600Pro Sand 3D Printer(more sand 3d printers)
✅ Material: Resin sand
✅ Advantages: Direct mold printing eliminates tooling requirements, drastically reducing production time
With the 3DPTEK-J1600Pro 3D printer, we completed all sand molds within 48 hours, cutting down mold production time by nearly two months compared to traditional casting methods.
✅ Material: ZL101A aluminum alloy (excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties)
✅ Casting Method: Low-pressure casting (ensures better metal filling, reduces porosity, and improves density)
✅ Heat Treatment: T6 treatment (enhances strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance)
Low-pressure casting ensured high product quality while improving production efficiency, allowing the transmission housing to meet stringent bench test requirements.
🔹 80% Reduction in Lead Time – Shortened the development cycle from three months to just 30 days
🔹 Accurate Fulfillment of Customer Needs – Delivered 10 transmission housings that passed bench testing on the first attempt
🔹 Lower Production Costs – Eliminated the need for costly mold development, reducing material waste
🔹 Enhanced Product Quality – Low-pressure casting combined with T6 heat treatment ensured superior mechanical performance
✅ No Need for Traditional Molds – Direct sand mold printing speeds up production
✅ Supports Complex Structures – Ideal for intricate internal channels and thin-walled designs
✅ Higher Material Efficiency – Reduces waste, lowering prototyping costs
✅ Ideal for Small-Batch Production – Perfect for new vehicle development and testing
This case study highlights the game-changing potential of 3D printed sand casting in the automotive industry, particularly in rapid prototyping, complex part manufacturing, and high-performance casting production. As this technology continues to evolve, 3D printed sand casting is set to become a key manufacturing method for the automotive sector, enabling companies to accelerate product iteration and enhance market competitiveness.
If you're looking for a faster, more cost-effective casting solution, contact us today to discover how 3D printed sand casting can give you a competitive edge!
