Fabrication and Assembly Tools

BMW produces jigs and fixtures in hours, not weeks and reduces part weight by 72%.

Average automaker uses over 400 such tools per vehicle, the cost and time savings potential is enormous

 

BMW GETS FAT WITH FDM:
BMW uses FDM for direct digital manufacturing of fabrication & assembly tools (FAT). For low-volume production, the German automaker says direct digital manufacturing (DDM) is an important alternative to conventional manufacturing. The technique is suited for producing complex bodies that are difficult and costly with conventional metal-cutting processes. Assembly gauges are now produced in two hours rather than two weeks.

ROI:
Manufacturing costs for fabrication & assembly tools dropped significantly when engineers started producing tools with additive fabrication, reducing labor. But the savings didn’t stop there. BMW saw real savings in engineering documentation and warehousing as well.

Other Benefits:
The process pays off in other ways too. Engineers can now optimize hand tool designs for ergonomics, which helps health and safety on the production floor. Engineers cut the weight of one assembly tool by 72% percent. For repetitive tasks, it makes a big difference. And now designers can make tools that improve handling, balance, and process repeatability, so they outperform traditional tools.

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