[3D Printing News] Volkswagen Autoeuropa: Achieving Maximum Production Efficiency with 3D Printed Tools and Jigs
Volkswagen Autoeuropa, responsible for manufacturing iconic Volkswagen models like the Scirocco and Sharan, with an annual production of 100,000 vehicles, is now leveraging 3D printing technology to revolutionize its workflow.
The 3D printing manufacturing facility is used in daily production lines, eliminating the need to rely on external suppliers for tools, jigs, and equipment, significantly reducing costs and shortening lead times from weeks to just a few days.
3D Printing and Manufacturing Support
The case of Volkswagen Autoeuropa illustrates the immense value 3D printing brings to the automotive industry. While 3D printing is traditionally associated with creating models, manufacturing companies still have the potential to create custom tools, equipment,
jigs, and other manufacturing aids.
Volkswagen Autoeuropa, responsible for manufacturing iconic Volkswagen models like the Scirocco and Sharan, with an annual production of 100,000 vehicles, is now leveraging 3D printing technology to revolutionize its workflow.
The 3D printing manufacturing facility is used in daily production lines, eliminating the need to rely on external suppliers for tools, jigs, and equipment, significantly reducing costs and shortening lead times from weeks to just a few days.
3D Printing and Manufacturing Support
The case of Volkswagen Autoeuropa illustrates the immense value 3D printing brings to the automotive industry. While 3D printing is traditionally associated with creating models, manufacturing companies still have the potential to create custom tools, equipment,
jigs, and other manufacturing aids.
With 3D printing, highly complex designs can be created and rapidly adjusted and modified without incurring costs or extended lead times.
These tools can be adjusted on demand, making function and form the primary drivers of design, rather than cost or time.
This 3D printed tire protection jig previously cost 800 euros, but now only costs 21 euros to print. Tool development time was reduced from 56 days to 10 days.
External Suppliers
Before collaborating with Ultimaker, Volkswagen Autoeuropa relied on external suppliers for tools, equipment, and devices.
These third-party companies often took weeks to process models and manufacture related tools, significantly hindering production and negatively impacting workflow.
Outsourcing also proved expensive, especially if design modifications were needed. In developing new manufacturing aids, Volkswagen Autoeuropa often had to use a trial-and-error approach.
This was impractical when working with other companies.
Saving Time and Money with 3D Printing
After validating the concept in 2014, Volkswagen Autoeuropa now has 7 Ultimakers, which produce 93% of previously outsourced tools internally.
3D printing can save 91% of mold development costs and reduce development time by 95%.
As explained by Luis Pascoa, Factory Foreman Manager at Volkswagen Autoeuropa:
By printing just a few tools, we can recoup the initial investment.
This 3D printed tire protection jig previously cost 800 euros, but now only costs 21 euros to print. Tool development time was reduced from 56 days to 10 days.
External Suppliers
Before collaborating with Ultimaker, Volkswagen Autoeuropa relied on external suppliers for tools, equipment, and devices.
These third-party companies often took weeks to process models and manufacture related tools, significantly hindering production and negatively impacting workflow.
Outsourcing also proved expensive, especially if design modifications were needed. In developing new manufacturing aids, Volkswagen Autoeuropa often had to use a trial-and-error approach.
This was impractical when working with other companies.
Saving Time and Money with 3D Printing
After validating the concept in 2014, Volkswagen Autoeuropa now has 7 Ultimakers, which produce 93% of previously outsourced tools internally.
3D printing can save 91% of mold development costs and reduce development time by 95%.
As explained by Luis Pascoa, Factory Foreman Manager at Volkswagen Autoeuropa:
By printing just a few tools, we can recoup the initial investment.
This tailgate badge took 35 days to outsource during development and cost a total of This window scale cost 180 euros per piece, but now with 3D printing, it's only 35 euros.
400 euros. With 3D printing, the project was completed in 4 days, reducing the cost to 10 euros. Development time was reduced from 8 days to 6 days.
After 2016, the facility saved 150,000 euros, and this figure is expected to increase to 250,000 euros in 2017. The initial investment in Ultimaker machines was fully recovered within 2 months.
Building on these time and cost savings, 3D printed tools are more ergonomic and can provide greater feedback to operators, as repeated designs can be incorporated more easily.
These all achieve unprecedented efficiency. The 3D printed tools produced by Volkswagen Autoeuropa are considered best practice within the Volkswagen Group.
Changes in Workflow
By producing tools internally, Volkswagen Autoeuropa can bypass the procurement department and collaborate with developers to develop new ideas or improve tools. This was previously impossible because only a few
ideas could be implemented in a timely manner. A new tool can be printed overnight and tested by developers on the production line the next morning. Their feedback can be incorporated into continuous iterative designs
until the perfect tool is completed. This tool can be printed many times until it meets the needs, and at a low cost.
Manufacturing aids can now be 3D printed overnight and tested the next morning, significantly accelerating the development process.
3D Printing and Manufacturing
3D printing offers the potential for revolutionary manufacturing. With in-house 3D printers, prototypes, tools, and end-use parts can be rapidly produced at a fraction of the cost of outsourcing. Through desktop 3D printing,
manufacturing companies can streamline production processes and achieve higher efficiency than ever before.
As Luis Pascoa said,
Ultimaker is a low-cost solution that delivers high standards and high-quality results. If you consider its application across the entire automotive industry, the potential is enormous!
Volkswagen Autoeuropa clearly demonstrates how 3D printing can revolutionize a car company's workflow. If you are interested in learning what Ultimaker can do for your business, please contact us for a quote.
400 euros. With 3D printing, the project was completed in 4 days, reducing the cost to 10 euros. Development time was reduced from 8 days to 6 days.
After 2016, the facility saved 150,000 euros, and this figure is expected to increase to 250,000 euros in 2017. The initial investment in Ultimaker machines was fully recovered within 2 months.
Building on these time and cost savings, 3D printed tools are more ergonomic and can provide greater feedback to operators, as repeated designs can be incorporated more easily.
These all achieve unprecedented efficiency. The 3D printed tools produced by Volkswagen Autoeuropa are considered best practice within the Volkswagen Group.
Changes in Workflow
By producing tools internally, Volkswagen Autoeuropa can bypass the procurement department and collaborate with developers to develop new ideas or improve tools. This was previously impossible because only a few
ideas could be implemented in a timely manner. A new tool can be printed overnight and tested by developers on the production line the next morning. Their feedback can be incorporated into continuous iterative designs
until the perfect tool is completed. This tool can be printed many times until it meets the needs, and at a low cost.
Manufacturing aids can now be 3D printed overnight and tested the next morning, significantly accelerating the development process.
3D Printing and Manufacturing
3D printing offers the potential for revolutionary manufacturing. With in-house 3D printers, prototypes, tools, and end-use parts can be rapidly produced at a fraction of the cost of outsourcing. Through desktop 3D printing,
manufacturing companies can streamline production processes and achieve higher efficiency than ever before.
As Luis Pascoa said,
Ultimaker is a low-cost solution that delivers high standards and high-quality results. If you consider its application across the entire automotive industry, the potential is enormous!
Volkswagen Autoeuropa clearly demonstrates how 3D printing can revolutionize a car company's workflow. If you are interested in learning what Ultimaker can do for your business, please contact us for a quote.