Machine Nation News Team
June 11, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM
Few Years Ago, GM Invested $81 Million In Additive Manufacturing For The Cadillac CELESTIQ. Now, The Vehicle Has Been Unveiled With The Integration Of Several 3D Printed Parts
General Motors (GM) unveiled the ultra-luxury Cadillac CELESTIQ electric sedan on April 30, 2025, showcasing its $81 million investment in additive manufacturing, announced in June 2022. Hand-built at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, the $360,000 CELESTIQ integrates over 130 3D-printed components—more than any GM vehicle—developed at the Additive Industrialization Center (AIC). These include metal and polymer parts for structural and cosmetic applications, such as suspension brackets and interior trim, secured through 300 new patents. The Artisan Center, where the CELESTIQ is assembled, employs advanced automation, creating 50 high-tech jobs and supporting Michigan’s 150,000-strong manufacturing workforce. Targeting a $5 billion luxury EV market, the project aligns with tariff-driven reshoring under President Trump’s 25% steel tariffs, leveraging GM’s supply chain to reduce import reliance. GM’s Chief Engineer Brandon Vivian noted the CELESTIQ’s role in “pushing 3D printing boundaries” for automotive innovation.
For the precision machining industry, the CELESTIQ’s production highlights the critical role of feedrate in manufacturing 3D printing molds. CNC milling of mold inserts for polymer 3D-printed parts requires precise feedrates, typically 10–50 inches per minute (IPM), to achieve tolerances within ±0.0005 inches and surface roughness as low as Ra 4 µin. 5-axis milling machines, optimized with controlled feedrates, ensure mold accuracy for high-volume additive manufacturing with real-time quality control. The AIC’s advancements drive demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and hybrid manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in Michigan, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening automotive supply chains.
Source:
General Motors Press Release, April 30, 2025
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X is buzzing about the Cadillac CELESTIQ’s unveiling, with posts on June 11, 2025, calling it a “3D printing masterpiece.” Users praised the 50 jobs and 130+ printed parts, with one noting “Warren’s luxury EV shines,” while another tied it to “reshoring auto tech.” The excitement reflects optimism for innovation and economic growth
What is the Feedrate?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Feedrate - The speed at which a CNC milling tool moves through a workpiece, measured in inches per minute (IPM), critical for achieving precision and efficiency in component production.
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Related Tags:
#CadillacCELESTIQ #AdditiveManufacturing #Feedrate #PrecisionMachining #LuxuryEV #Reshoring