Jan 1, 2006
Automotive companies are trying to buy their tools, dies, and molds (TDM) at the lowest possible price. With the recent emergence of tooling capacity in “low-cost countries” (LCCs), that low price is getting even lower. Domestic TDM sources are being pressed to meet the “world price” for tools or risk losing their bids to suppliers who can provide TDM at this lower price. This paper examines how this new environment affects domestic TDM builders. This paper is the result of a nine-month study made possible by the generous support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Jan 1, 2006
Many auto companies are targeting low-volume vehicles as a means to increase market share and, in some cases, to establish a “halo effect” with niche products. Engineering and production resource availability, and manufacturing cost are two critical constraints present in low-volume products.
Sponsored by: American Plastics Council; ASC, Inc.; Dana Corporation; Diversified Tooling Company; KUKA; Flexible Production Systems; McKinsey Consulting; TATA Consulting and United Tooling Coalition.
Nov 1, 2005
Functional build (FB) is a critical process in launching a vehicle, whereby individual prototype parts are stamped and then sent to a central location to be assembled into a prototype vehicle body.
Proceeding of IMECE2005, 2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.
Mar 1, 2005
This Delphi report describes the North American auto industry’s perspective on the current and future state of various issues surrounding the product design process and its impact on product design success.
This study sponsored by Parametric Technologies Corporation
Feb 1, 2004
This report presents the results of a workshop sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that took place on December 8, 2003, in Dearborn, Michigan. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together a broad national audience to identify critical manufacturing issues associated with the high volume production of fuel cells and to explore the development of a national strategy for fuel cell manufacturability (NSFCM).
Jul 1, 2003
The world auto industry has experienced many fundamental changes in its long history. The majority of these changes have involved important shifts in the market for motor vehicles or improvements in product or manufacturing technologies.
Jan 1, 2003
The Digital Body Development System (DBDS) is a $10.6 million 4 year NIST ATP project to shorten the time to launch vehicles by improving the launch problem solving process.
Sep 1, 2002
Many tool and die makers have gone bankrupt during the first years of the new millennia. This study was commissioned to better understand the underlying causes for the demise of these shops.
This report was sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
