Volvo Construction Equipment (www.volvoce.com) has introduced 3-D printing in order to deliver spare parts to customers more quickly and efficiently.

Jasenko Lagumdzija, manager of business support at Volvo CE, said: “Producing new parts by 3-D printing cuts down on time and costs, so it’s an efficient way of helping customers.

“It’s especially good for older machines, where the parts that have worn out can no longer be made efficiently using traditional production methods.”

When a customer needs to replace a part that has worn out through natural usage, Volvo CE’s after-market service normally commissions the creation of a replacement part made of thermoplastics.

Typical parts made by 3-D printing so far include parts of a cabin, plastic coverings and sections of air-conditioning units.

The creation of a new part via the 3-D printing process can take as little as one week. Parts made of metal through additive manufacturing may be offered in the future.

Volvo’s 3-D printing process is also being used to make new components for prototype machinery. The company has several 3-D printers for this purpose in its R&D facility.