https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/daimler-3d-printing-metal-parts/

Daimler estimates that the ability to manufacture medium-size runs of parts quickly and without the costs associated with making or buying tooling and without additional needed human workers could lead to cost savings of up to 50% over the current methods of manufacture.

The Daimler/Premium Aerotec/EOS NextGenAM system works with a conveyer belt and a series of manufacturing robots that handle everything from setup and transport of the powdered aluminum from which the part will be made to the actual printing area, to the lasers that heat the powder and form the layers from which the part is constructed. Of course, there is a human being monitoring the process from a central control area, but unless something goes wrong, the entire process is automated, including the heat treatment process, the company said.