Mini to increase personalisation via the use of 3D printing

The technology will allow customers to have custom sill plates, puddle lights and dashboard trim.

By Dan Prosser, Autocar UK

27 Dec 2017

5906 Views

From 2018, Mini owners will be able to design their own exterior and interior trim components via an online configurator.

European customers will pay €40 (Rs 3,057) for a pair of personalised puddle lights.

Each component will isbe subject to the same BMW Group crash and durability tests as any other item of trim.

Mini teamed up with computing giant Hewlett Packard to refine the costly and complex 3D printing process.

Sill plates can display the owner's handwriting, thanks to the customisation tech.

As well as personalised sill plates and LED puddle lights.

The indicator inlays and dashboard facia come in one of five colours.

When the doors are opened, the puddle lights project personalised text onto the ground.

The components will be manufactured in Munich, with Mini anticipating a four-week lead time once the designs have been submitted.

They can display text, simple images and textured patterns, or one of a small selection of cityscapes.

The package includes 3D printed side indicator inlays and dashboard trim.

Mini is turning to 3D printing technology to offer its customers a wider range of personalisation options.

From 2018 onwards new and existing Mini owners will be able to design their own exterior and interior trim components via a dedicated online configurator. "Individualisation has always been a big topic with Mini," said Thomas Schmitz, product manager of Mini Yours Customised. "Now we want to take individualisation to the next level."

The upgrade package includes 3D-printed side indicator inlays and dashboard trim, as well as personalised sill plates and LED puddle lights. The indicator inlays and dashboard facia come in one of five colours and can display text, simple images and textured patterns, or one of a small selection of cityscapes. Using a laser etching technique, meanwhile, the illuminated sill plates can present text in the owner’s handwriting, basic graphics and even star constellations. Additionally, when the doors are opened, the puddle lights project personalised text onto the ground.

The components, which are designed to be fitted at home, will be manufactured in Munich, with Mini anticipating a four-week lead time once the designs have been submitted. Each component is subject to the same BMW Group crash and durability tests as any other item of trim.

Given the cost and complexity of 3D printing, Mini teamed up with computing giant Hewlett Packard to refine the process. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed but European customers will pay €40 (around Rs 3,057) for a pair of personalised puddle lights and €140 (Rs 10,701) for the dashboard facia.