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Second-Generation 3D Printed Titanium Wheel by HRE3D+ installed on a purple Ford GT

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3D printed titanium wheel

Above: HRE3D+ second-generation 3D printed titanium wheel installed on a purple Ford GT/Image Credit: HRE Wheels


Last year in November, HRE3D+ Wheels unveiled the World’s First 3D Printed Titanium Wheel when it entered into a partnership with GE Additive. Now the company has launched the upgraded & revised second version of the 3D printed titanium wheel. This new wheel was installed on a purple Ford GT and unveiled at RAPID+TCT 2019 event.

HRE has again teamed up with GE Additive to utilize the brand’s additive manufacturing systems, like Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) – a laser-based metal additive manufacturing technology and Electron Beam Melting (EBAM) – which uses a beam of electrons to heat and fuse raw metal materials in a vacuum.

HRE3D+’s Second-Generation 3D Printed Titanium Wheel

3D printed titanium wheel

Above: HRE3D+ second-generation 3D printed titanium wheel/Image Credit: HRE Wheels


The California-based company explored the capabilities of 3D printing by working closely with GE Additive to create a practical application. By the association, it was able to produce a highly complex titanium wheel, which is now called as ‘HRE3D+’.

Traditionally, the wheel is manufactured by subtracting as much as 80% material from a 100-pound forged aluminium monoblock to create the final product. With additive manufacturing, only 5% of the material is removed and recycled improving the efficiency of the process. Additionally, a titanium material, which has a much higher specific strength than aluminium and is corrosion resistant, allowing it to be extremely lightweight and to be shown in its raw finish, can be used in a cost-effective way.

3D printed titanium wheel

Above: HRE3D+ second-generation 3D printed titanium wheel is lighter than its previous version/Image Credit: HRE Wheels


The revised second-generation HRE3D+ revolutionizes the wheel manufacturing process by not only reducing overall materials waste in the process of raw titanium material by weight but also lowered the weight of the finished HRE3D+ wheel. The new wheel is significantly lighter than ever before possible.

For example, the 20 and 21-inch wheels of the first-generation HRE3D+ weighed around 9 and 10 kilograms respectively, whereas the second-generation wheel weighs only 7 and 8 kilograms respectively.

3D printed titanium wheel

Above: HRE3D+ second-generation titanium wheel being 3D printed/Image Credit: HRE Wheels


The first HRE3D+ concept is comprised of 6 parts, including a centre cap and lug seat section holding the spokes against the vehicle. HRE further reduced weight for the second generation by redesigning the centre area to reduce the part count to 5 printed sections.

Speaking about the development of the new revised version of the 3D printed wheel, HRE President & CEO Alan Peltier said, “We’re proud to be breaking new ground in wheel manufacturing with the updated HRE3D+ wheels. Working with GE Additive has given us access to some truly cutting-edge technology, and we’re exploring the future of wheel technology together with tools that will continue to evolve over the next few years. We can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish next.”

The second-generation 3D printed titanium wheel was unveiled at the recently concluded RAPID+TCT 2019 event in Detroit, Michigan.


About Manufactur3D Magazine: Manufactur3D is an online magazine on 3D Printing. Visit our Global News page for more updates on 3D Printing Technology News. To stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in the 3D printing world, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn.

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Manufactur3D is an Indian Online 3D Printing Media Platform that reports on the latest news, insights and analysis from the Indian and the Global 3D Printing Industry.
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