Michigan Firms Use 3D Printing to Accelerate EV Molds

Elite Mold and Engineering and PCS Company use 3D-printed inserts to shorten mold lead times for EV parts by 30 percent.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Isometric editorial illustration of a precision steel mold insert with internal channels, representing industrial manufacturing innovation. — Elite Mold and Engineering and PCS Company have reduced EV component production lead times by 30 percent using 3D-printed steel mold inserts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should manufacturers invest more in domestic 3D printing to compete with offshore tooling costs?

Elite Mold and Engineering and PCS Company have successfully developed a hybrid bridge mold for electric vehicle components using 3D-printed H13 steel inserts. This collaborative manufacturing approach successfully reduced production lead times by approximately 30 percent.

Why it matters

The project was initiated to meet a strict three-week customer deadline for a prototype EV harness component that traditional machining methods could not feasibly produce. This innovation allows manufacturers to overcome design limitations posed by deep, narrow mold features.

The hybrid bridge mold measures 12 inches by 12 inches with 4-inch by 6-inch printed inserts, utilizing Mantle 3D printing technology to handle high-glass-filled nylon materials. The process effectively eliminated the need for EDM electrodes.

The players

Elite Mold and Engineering

Based in Shelby Township, Michigan, this company specializes in advanced mold manufacturing solutions.

PCS Company

Headquartered in Fraser, Michigan, this entity provides tooling components and manufacturing services for the plastics industry.

The details

Engineers at Elite used specialized software to generate additive and subtractive tool paths, while PCS utilized wire EDM to prepare the base pockets for the inserts. These inserts feature integrated conformal cooling channels to optimize the manufacturing of complex harness components.

The project report was published on October 26, 2026.

Roadmap

The adoption of Mantle 3D printing reflects a significant industry shift toward hybrid tooling that bridges the gap between rapid prototyping and mass production. By replacing slow traditional machining, companies are better positioning themselves to meet the accelerated development cycles required by EV manufacturers.

This technology enables faster vehicle launches by drastically shortening the time required to procure essential plastic components. For the automotive industry in Michigan, this creates a more agile supply chain capable of meeting tight deadlines for new electric vehicle parts.

The takeaway

Hybrid manufacturing allows firms to rapidly produce complex molds that were previously impossible or too time-consuming to machine. Adopting 3D-printed steel inserts can serve as a viable strategy for businesses aiming to cut production timelines for specialized components.