Eplus3D supports Hankook Precision Works in scaling metal additive manufacturing for tire mold production

Home-Eplus3D supports Hankook Precision Works in scaling metal additive manufacturing for tire mold production

Eplus3D, a provider of metal additive manufacturing systems, has supportedHankook Precision Worksin deploying metal 3D printing for tire sipes production. The collaboration has moved from initial evaluation to stable, repeatable production, with systems now in operation across multiple facilities.

Tire mold manufacturing is increasingly turning to advanced production methods. Hankook Precision Works, a supplier of high-precision mold components for the tire industry, has adopted metal additive manufacturing to meet requirements for fine feature resolution, surface quality, and production consistency.

Metal additive manufacturing for tire sipes applications

Tire sipes components often require sub-millimeter features and controlled surface conditions, which can be difficult to achieve using conventional methods. Metal additive manufacturing enables the integration of complex geometries while maintaining design flexibility. For industrial adoption, consistent quality, repeatability, and production efficiency remain key requirements.

Hankook Precision Works evaluated theEP-M300system based on part quality, data security, and cost performance. The first system was installed at the company’s China facility in September 2025, where test builds demonstrated mechanical properties and external quality comparable to other systems in its category.

Following pilot testing, the system was integrated into production. According to the company, operators were able to adapt to the machine within a short period, supported by its interface and operating environment.

Production validation and scaling

The EP-M300 systems have since been used to manufacture tire sipes printing cuffs, with approximately 100,000 components produced to date under stable conditions.

This output indicates that metal additive manufacturing can extend beyond prototyping into repeatable industrial production, where consistency and reliability are required.

Source: 3D Printing Industry