Case Study: GM Australia’s Design Studio achieves award-winning concept car design and 3-day rapid prototyping with 3D Systems

Rapid Prototyping Pointing the Way for Automotive Innovation

3D Systems’ On Demand Manufacturing service, Quickparts, partnered with GM Australia’s Holden design studio to help produce complex prototypes for the Buick Avenir concept. The challenge was to turn intricate design work — notably a detailed grille — into functional, high-quality prototype components on a much shorter timeline and at lower cost than traditional CNC methods, supporting concept evaluation and high-profile award submissions.

Quickparts deployed its sPro 60 HD Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology to produce the grille in three days instead of the typical two-week CNC turnaround, delivering cost savings, better quality control and rapid iteration for testing. The fast, local additive manufacturing solution helped translate Australian design innovation into functional parts, contributed to the Avenir’s design recognition, and highlighted growing uptake of 3D printing across the automotive sector.

GM Australia’s Design Studio