The Application of Additive Manufacturing Technology in Automotive Component Design Optimization

With the shift toward electrification, lightweight architectures, and intelligent systems in the automotive sector, demand for high-performance, tailor-made components is rising, while traditional manufacturing methods struggle to cope with complex geometries and accelerated design cycles. Therefore, this study investigates the application of additive manufacturing technology in the design optimization of automotive components to achieve lightweight structures, functional integration, as well as customized solutions. By reviewing the literature on additive manufacturing processes and material properties, and examining specific component cases, this study investigated strategies for improving part performance via parameter tuning, data refinement, and topology design. The results reveal that additive manufacturing can notably reduce part weight and enhance overall system performance, yet it still faces challenges such as process defects, an incomplete standardization system, and industrial application bottlenecks. Future efforts should prioritize multi-material integrated printing and the intelligent closed-loop management of process-performance, which are key to wider adoption of additive manufacturing in the automotive sector.