ADELPHI, MD — U.S. Army researchers have discovered a way to monitor the performance of 3D printed parts, which tend to have imperfections that affect performance in ways that traditionally machined parts do not.

Production-ready, 3D-printed automotive parts have been slowly entering the market the past few years. Now, they’re as important as the thousands of metal and plastic parts produced using traditional casting, injection molding, stamping and machining processes.

REDFORD, MI—Ford Motor Co. announced last week that its new Mustang Shelby GT500 will have two 3D-printed brake components. The announcement was made at the automaker's new $45 million Advanced Manufacturing Center here.

SANTA CLARA, CA—General Motors has been testing various new technologies at its assembly plants. Two of note are the RoboGlove and 3D-printed parts.