Accelerating Manufacturing with 3D Printing 

With a history dating back to 1949, Marcopolo is a pioneer and leader in bus body manufacturing in Brazil. Born in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, the company has consistently stood at the forefront of innovation, providing high-quality transportation solutions, and driving the future of mobility.

Among the professionals driving innovation is Tiago Mendes da Silva, Coordinator of Engineering Planning and Application. He leads the implementation of
new technologies, project automation using CAD, engineering infrastructure with software and hardware, detailed technical analyses, and the creation of innovative prototypes.

At the Caxias do Sul facility, where Marcopolo produces bus bodies, electric chassis, and metro-rail products, the company has incorporated the innovative technology of Stratasys FDM® 3D printers for over a decade. Since 2012, with the acquisition of a Dimension, followed by the Fortus 900™, and most recently, the F170™.

These 3D printers are strategically integrated to meet the diverse needs of the company, from product engineering, development and processes, maintenance, quality, to the beginning of mass manufacturing.

According to Tiago Mendes da Silva, in the last year, more than 221 print requests were fulfilled, totaling about 1,000 manufactured parts. These ranged from essential prototypes for engineering project validation to parts for replacement in automated machines, components for bus verification and assembly (such as jigs), and even final parts used in bus bodies. Notable among these are the card reader for the Urbano Attivi Integral product – fully electric, and the ADAS for the Rodoviário Paradiso G8 product.

To ensure excellence and performance, Marcopolo uses high-quality materials such as ABS, known for its robustness, affordable cost, and ease of post-finishing. Additionally, polycarbonate is used to ensure robustness and superior quality in larger parts manufactured on the Fortus 900, ensuring a flawless final finish. This strategic combination of materials ensures that each printed part contributes to the excellence and durability of Marcopolo products.