Automotive Prototyping & Parts Manufacturing
Global delivery as fast as 10 days
Rapid Manufacturing on Demand
Within the automotive industry, the malfunction or failure of a component can lead to
catastrophic consequences. As such, it essential to fully test and evaluate any new
part or product to determine whether it performs as intended before it is available
in the market. For these operations, prototypes are ideal.
At Zigitech, we have
extensive experience prototyping and manufacturing automotive parts, including for
leading automotive companies such as BMW, Bentley Motors, Lamborghini, and Land
Rover. We utilize rapid prototyping techniques to produce high-performance physical
prototypes designed and built to pass some of the most rigorous verification and
testing procedures available.
Advantages of Rapid Prototyping
In the automotive industry, there is constant pressure to
achieve higher performance standards, including those regarding fuel efficiency,
aerodynamics, connectivity, and security. By employing rapid prototyping
techniques, manufacturers experience the following advantages:
- Shorter production times and lower production
costs. One of the main benefits of rapid prototyping is how fast it
is at bringing a product from initial concept to reality. Multiple product
designs can be designed, tested, and evaluated in a shorter time period.
Once a design is finalized, it can then proceed to production without the
risk of needing costly modifications in the future.
- Easier product innovation. Rapid prototyping
enables industry professionals to create functional models of a new part
design quickly. Compared to conventional manufacturing methods, which carry
more extensive design constraints, it also allows for greater customization
of products to meet unique specifications.
- Greater supply chain transformation. Rapid
prototyping changes how parts enter the supply chain. By using it to meet
fluctuating market demand, industry professionals can reduce material
utilization and waste generation, lower inventory costs, and support low to
medium production runs.
- Safer, cleaner, and lighter part designs.
Rapid prototyping allows manufacturers to design and develop safer,
cleaner, and lighter parts. As the process comes with shorter
design-to-delivery times than alternative methods, they can compare more
designs before deciding on which is most effective and efficient.
Rapid Prototyping Techniques Employed by Zigitech
At Zigitech, we offer the following rapid
prototyping capabilities for customers in the automotive
industry:
- For engine parts: aluminum
machining
- For interior lighting, exterior
lights, and headlights: acrylic machining
- For quick runs: injection molding
and rapid tooling
- For short-term trial productions:
reaction injection molding (RIM)
Precision Auto Parts Produced Through Rapid Prototyping
We are capable of prototyping interior, exterior, and functional
parts at our facilities.
We produce prototypes for many interior vehicle parts,
such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or console. By utilizing rapid
prototyping, interior parts can be tested for various aspects. For example,
steering wheels can be evaluated for their grip, dashboards can be verified for
color, and consoles can be assessed for the amount of wear they show after use.
The results gathered from these tests can provide insight into whether a design
needs alteration.
The exterior parts we prototype include bumpers,
headlights/tail lights, and door handles. Exterior part prototypes are generally
tested for safety, such as how the bumper holds up in a simulated crash, how the
lights perform in low light or rain, or how the door handles function with
repeated use. Safety testing, such as failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA),
can also be performed on exterior parts to evaluate the risk of failure in both
everyday use and extreme conditions.
The functional parts that we can prototype include air
components, engine covers, and air filter housings. Functional part prototypes
are primarily tested to ascertain how well they perform within the vehicle. For
example, the air components, engine covers, and air filter housings can be
prototyped and tested to see how they function in the high-temperature
environment generated by the engine.
Automotive
Prototyping At Zigitech
At Zigitech, we provide automotive
industry customers with rapid prototyping and manufacturing
solutions. Our expert team has the knowledge and skills to
help bring new product concepts to life. For more
information on our prototyping capabilities and how we serve
the automotive industry, contact us or request a quote today.