How 3D CAD Modeling Is Giving The Automotive Industry The Much Needed Facelift?

Our present industrial pursuits have disturbed the fine equilibrium between natural resource consumption and subsequent replenishment. We need sustainable designs based on innovation to maintain the balance without compromising on profitability. 1.2 billion+ vehicles plying on various roads across the globe are harming environment significantly. Since you cannot do away with transportation means, green mobility solutions are the need of the hour.

The automotive industry must address design issues from technical, cultural, social and economic perspectives. With 3D modeling, strategic designs for optimum energy utilization in motor vehicles can be worked out. The days of using this technique for developing prototypes and aesthetic forms only are gone.

3D Modeling’s Changing Role in Today’s Automotive Segment

With the advent of technologies like FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), 3D printing of prototypes and vehicle parts have become easier. 3D printed parts are relatively inexpensive and can be produced quickly. As you can exercise numerous options, parts can be flexibly manufactured as needed. Industrial 3D printers would soon outdated welding machines for fusing steel sheets.

3D modeling offers vehicle manufactures significant cost savings.

1) Reduction in Inventory Levels

Usually, you stock parts which are low in demand and expensive in remote warehouses. This makes them unavailable readily. Also, the lead time for supply is more. You can overcome such issues by 3D printing parts on a need basis. This is particularly useful for brands like Porsche which manufactures limited numbers of cars. Replacement parts are not stored for saving cost. The brand can now 3D print the part on the customer’s location when demanded.

2) Shortening of Assembly Line

You can get complex designs created through additive manufacturing without needing many parts to be assembled together. With 3D CAD modeling, you can reduce assembly time and can address quality issues decisively. Selective Laser Melting, for example, helps in 3D printing metal parts. Production cost is lowered and quality is enhanced as such single printed components don’t suffer from problems like leakage.

3) Simplifying of Supply Chain

If you are part of an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), you would know very well how difficult it is to manage large supply chains and deal with different automotive part supplying vendors. You have to spend significant money and time to manage the supply chain efficiently. You can get away from the hassle by outsourcing 3D component modeling and printing processes.

4) Ease of Electrical Drive and Line Installation

An electrical CAD drafter can design diagrams which you can use for brainstorming with electrical part installers pretty early in the automotive manufacturing process. You can address any issue related to material or power requirements. During manufacturing, you can track if the contractors are installing parts as per specifications in the finalized diagram.

How 3D Modeling Can Be Applied in Automotive Segment?

1) For Designing of Concepts

You can showcase the concept of a new automotive unit with a 3D printed scale model carrying all details.

2) For Rapid Prototyping

You can use 3D modeled and printed parts for prototype validation during the pre-manufacturing phase.

3) For Low-Cost Sampling Tools’ Manufacture

With 3D mechanical modeling, you can design jigs, grips, fixtures, and molds for 3D printing. These tools would help you in sampling in a relatively inexpensive manner.

4) For Developing Customizable Components

You can use additive manufacturing for building specific components customized for vehicles or unique requirements of drivers. Side plate, door or window handles, etc. can be made.

Digital Mock-Up For Seamless Designing

In the automotive domain, you experience the challenge of optimizing and developing more innovative products. With mock-up, you can bring down production expenses and development time while improving the quality of components. With the 3D program, you can generate parametric models during the project’s early stages.

Through digital mock-up, you can import 2D sketch in 3D CAD program for creating a virtual model for optimization and analysis. You get to enjoy cost and time advantages over traditional clay modeling process. To live up to specifications, you can visualize the vehicle model from different views and carry out needful changes. You can also import 2D sketches of complex curves in 3D for rapid prototyping.

Strategies for Integrated 3D CAD Design

You can simulate the complete fabrication process in CAD software by using different designing and development modules. The geometry of the 3D model can be transferred among various software applications for ease of visualization. You can superimpose sketches, drawings, 2D images, etc. on the car 3D model. With such integrated designing, you can easily cater to customer needs and conform to legislative statutes.

3D Modeling During Concept Development Stage

When you develop the model initially, you need to factor in how styling is complementing the needs of customers. The structure you are designing must meet all functionality needs. The conceptual models will be helpful during digital mock-up. With the parametric design, you can assemble different components in the multi-model view. You can simulate and evaluate any vehicle component in parametric form.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to simulate models using different meshing strategies. The epsilon standard wall function turbulence model can be used for assessing the impact of the grid by converging various iterative calculations. You can precisely simulate aerodynamics and different speed condition with surface data and flow fields acquired from experiments.

Conclusion

3D modeling can be used for designing different 3D products of the automotive industry. You can get the models 3D printed which reduce the production cost and also makes available rare components at customers’ sites. You can optimize this technology to add more cutting-edge to the automotive designing and component development processes.