Eplus3D's metal additive manufacturing technology is being harnessed by Hankook Precision Works to support tyre sipes production.
Hankook is a specialised manufacturer serving the tyre industry and focuses on high-precision mould components.
As it looks to advance its capabilities, the company has aligned with Eplus3D to produce higher performance and more complex tread designs. Through their collaboration so far, Hankook has transitioned from initial evaluation to 'stable, repeatable production' across multiple facilities.
Metal additive manufacturing, the partners say, is able to deliver complex mould features that are difficult or impractical to achieve through traditional processes. In tyre sipes, fine feature resolution, surface quality and consistency are considered critical, and Eplus3D's metal AM technology is said to have delivered sub-millimetre features and controlled surface conditions, while enabling the manufacture of more complex geometries.
The EP-M300 system is said to have shown promise across part quality, data security, production readiness and overall cost performance, with Hankook installing a machine at its China facility in September 2025. Test builds of tyre sipes cuffs are said to have demonstrated that external quality and mechanical properties were comparable to those of other systems in the same category, while the proprietary file conversion software provided a high level of data protection. The system maintained a competitive cost level within its specification range, according to the partners, and after pilot testing, the system was applied to production.
To date, approximately 100,000 tyre sipe cuff components have been produced with 'stable quality and consistent production performance,' and a second EP-M300 system has been deployed earlier this year.
