Hankook Precision Works adopts metal 3D printing for tire mold production

Hankook Precision Works, a subsidiary of the South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook Tire, has integrated Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology into its production workflow to manufacture complex sipes for tire molds. By utilizing metal AM, the company can produce intricate, thin-walled geometries that were previously impossible to achieve through conventional CNC machining or casting methods. This implementation allows for the creation of high-precision tread patterns that optimize tire grip and performance under varying road conditions. The transition to additive manufacturing enables Hankook to reduce lead times for mold development and iterate on tread designs with greater agility.

This adoption highlights the increasing utility of LPBF in the automotive tooling sector, where precision and durability are critical for high-volume manufacturing. While traditional mold making remains the standard for mass production, metal AM addresses the specific bottleneck of complex, high-aspect-ratio sipes that require manual assembly or multi-part construction in traditional workflows. Hankook competes in a landscape where major tire manufacturers are increasingly evaluating digital manufacturing to improve product differentiation. The move reflects a broader trend of integrating AM into the end-use tooling value chain to enhance performance metrics rather than just prototyping.

For Hankook, the success of this integration depends on maintaining consistent material properties in 316L stainless steel or tool steel powders to ensure mold longevity during high-pressure vulcanization. Manufacturers should focus on validating the fatigue life of these 3D printed components compared to traditional counterparts to justify the higher cost per unit. This deployment confirms that AM is now a viable production tool for specialized automotive components that demand high geometric complexity.