The Shanghai International Automobile City, located in the city's Jiading district, struck a cooperation deal with the Xi'an-based National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center on May 22.
The cooperation was prompted by the rising importance of 3D printing technology and the added efficiency it brings to auto manufacturing. Whereas traditional auto manufacturing comprises 20,000 parts, a 3D printed automobile only has about 40.
The two parties will join hands in the establishment of an auto 3D printing public service platform which will be dedicated to auto structure design research, prototype vehicle rapid manufacturing technology research, compound material mold making technology, and equipment research.