At the 2018 PRI (Performance Racing Industry) show the Oerlikon Group had 3D metal printed pistons and hollow stem titanium valves on display. 3D metal printers are expensive tools that are becoming more and more popular and they can do a variety of things.


From wheels as you recently saw from HRE, to pistons, and even valve stems the sky is the limit with applications.

What is the advantage here? Well, you have a very high strength to weight ratio and can really get the most out of the material. The precision of the machining is astounding. Traditional metal techniques would not be able to replicate this piston.

The downside is the cost, time, and complexity of the design. How much do these pistons cost? Will they even enter production for any particular application? Who knows.

What is clear is engine building is going to radically change in the internal combustion sphere in the next decade. From 3D metal printed internals to composite rods, we are not at the end of technological advance in the internal combustion motor. Not by a long shot.