Rivian Automotive has invested over $5 million in 3D-printing equipment as part of a deliberate push to internalize component manufacturing and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers.
The company's annual material costs for additive manufacturing approach $1.7 million. Jared Beck, Rivian's head of additive manufacturing, said the machines pay for themselves within a year through lower tooling costs and faster production cycles.
"The primary advantage is speed," Beck said. Production times for parts have dropped from weeks to days or hours, generating savings "well in the millions" annually.
Rivian is installing a dedicated bay of 3D printers at its Normal, Illinois plant capable of producing flexible silicone components and printing parts on demand. The strategy, Beck said, is to make 3D printing accessible to every engineer, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration without waiting for external suppliers.
Engineers have already deployed the technology for electric-motor fluid testing, tooling guides, stamping press inserts, and production trim pieces for early vehicle builds.
The approach reflects a broader shift in automotive manufacturing. Ford and General Motors have integrated additive manufacturing into assembly plants for years. Ford now operates vending machines that dispense 3D-printed parts directly to F-150 production lines.
Equipment costs range from hundreds of dollars for basic units to hundreds of thousands for specialized machines, depending on material and part size. The economics work because manufacturers can produce custom components, assembly tools, and prototype units in-house rather than paying suppliers for tooling and lead times.
For capital-constrained automakers like Rivian, the calculus is direct: faster development cycles and lower per-unit tooling costs justify the upfront investment in factory floor real estate and equipment. It also reduces inventory risk on low-volume or bespoke parts.
