Modern and classic in one: Porsche will turn to 3D printing to obtain parts for its longest-running models

A brand’s foundations are responsible for establishing the bases of the brand and for dictating the steps towards new models. This is why it is important for companies to look after and respect their elders, something Porsche is very aware of. The German firm has an impressive restoration department, which is in charge of bringing back to life some of the most unusual and spectacular models. To this process, 3D printing has been added, a technique that will make it possible to recover certain parts that have been discontinued or are very hard to find.

Porsche has taken into account the large number of classic models that remain in active use, so it has made sure to keep this conservation department in the best possible condition. However, over time, production processes have evolved in hundreds of different aspects, so the originality of the part -or, failing that, parts of a vehicle- could be altered. To avoid this problem, Porsche has turned to 3D printing, a system that makes it possible to obtain parts that would otherwise require a complicated manufacturing process.

This new process allows the company to save a considerable amount in both tools and material, since the printer is perfectly capable of meeting the requirements of each model. On certain occasions, Porsche needs parts for very exclusive vehicles with low production runs, such as the 959, one of the most acclaimed models from the company. In this situation, the German brand is forced to resort to a laborious process to obtain components such as the clutch tensioner, something that is reduced to a matter of days thanks to 3D printing.

On the other hand, the progressive evolution of 3D printers has allowed the company to obtain exact copies of the necessary parts in both metal and plastic. To make these parts, the printer uses a laser melting process, which measures the exact amount needed to obtain plastic with the remaining energy. At the same time, Porsche confirms that the introduction of this new technique does not affect the quality of its products, since they have ensured that they maintain their original level of authenticity.

This new method offers the German company a series of advantages over a more traditional parts reproduction process. On the one hand, Porsche benefits from the simplicity of producing an element through 3D printing, it also achieves considerable savings compared with other techniques and, at the same time, can produce any kind of part required. Without a doubt, this will give the company a higher level of ability to keep its oldest vehicles in perfect condition.