The automotive industry is surging these days. With a market size of nearly $3.7 trillion in 2022, the automotive sector is only progressing with time. Meanwhile, the global rapid prototyping manufacturing market reached USD 491 million in 2021 and is expected to touch a whopping $1.4 billion in 2028. And the good news is that a significant portion of rapid prototyping and the automotive industry overlap, which means that prototypes are extremely popular in the automotive industry.
Issues Faced by Automotive Industry
However, the automotive sector is facing some challenges in designing new car models, which need to be addressed urgently for the better development of the industry. These challenges include:
Fast Product Developing Cycle
A product development cycle generally involves designing, automotive prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and marketing. Due to high demand and constant pressure from customers, designers face the stiff challenge of completing the development cycle quickly.
Complex Parts
Due to evolving technologies, the complexities of automobiles have only increased over time. The designing of a complex part is much more difficult because industries need to keep all the engineering demands in mind to craft flawless products at the micro level.
High Cost Of Molding
Molding is a widely employed phenomenon in the automotive industry, and its rising costs often leave automotive industry stakeholders in worry.
High Accuracy Requirements
During the design, the automotive industry needs to be highly accurate in its calculations and implementations. Otherwise, vehicles are prone to damage, which is equally detrimental for both consumers and manufacturers.
Repeat Adjustment
No matter how much of a micromanager an automotive industry gets, there will always be room for improvement. So, the designers often need to revise their designs and make slight tweaks in order to make a perfect piece.
How Can Rapid Prototyping Solve These Challenges
The problems above can easily be solved by a simple technique: rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping manufacturing is a process where a diverse set of techniques are applied to fabricate a model of a product. These models are called prototypes, which are then tried and tested before starting large-scale manufacturing.
Fast Manufacturing
Quick prototyping accelerates the product development cycle. You can use rapid prototyping manufacturing techniques to build a model, test it immediately, and then scale it according to your needs.
Ability to Deal with Complex Parts
Rapid prototyping manufacturing adopts processing methods, including CNC machining, rapid sheet metal fabrication, reaction injection molding, and vacuum casting, which allow you to build complex parts of an automobile, like an engine, steering system, etc.
Cost Effective
Rapid prototyping manufacturing is extremely cost-effective compared with traditional injection molding since it gives you a second and even more chances to detect flaws in your design, thereby saving you millions in the trial run phase.
Precise Manufacturing
Rapid prototyping manufacturing creates the exact replica of your designed product. Once the prototype is passed, you need to produce the exact prototype in bulk, which removes the possibility of any human error on a larger scale.
Convenient Adjustment
Rapid prototyping manufacturing gives you virtually infinite iterations to make adjustments to your design after quick testing, making them to perfection.
KAIAO’s Rapid Prototyping Services
KAIAO’s exceptional practices in manufacturing perfect prototypes for your business have set them apart from other vendors. They have 14 patents, which suggests that they have been putting a lot of energy into research and development. Not only this, but they have a prototyping manufacturing facility comprising over 3000 sq. meters, where hundreds of highly qualified and talented individuals are developing flawless prototypes for various industries.
KAIAO has championed rapid prototyping manufacturing over the years, not to mention that they also do low-volume manufacturing. Their 27 years of experience is evident from the fact that they have delivered over 1 million prototypes in more than 1000 industries, which makes them one of the best rapid prototype manufacturers out there.
