Ford Sheet Metal Rapid Prototyping

To speed up prototyping ford has created a rapid process they call the ford freeform fabrication technology f3t for short.

Ford sheet metal rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping rp techniques in the sheet metal forming industry is developed to quickly test the form and fit of new sheet metal products on a prototype basis as well as for production runs characterized by small lot sizes. Posted on july 9 2013 by mcg. Allowing them to fabricate a three dimensional part from a two dimensional sheet of metal in just hours. Ford unveils rapid prototyping for sheet metal parts.

See how ford does it with this short video video. This article provides an overview of some of the technologies used for rp and low volume production of sheet metal. Ford engineers are developing a highly flexible first of its kind patented technology to rapidly form sheet metal parts for low volume production applicati. Ford has introduced a sheet metal process that eliminates the need for expensive dies.

Ford calls this ford freeform fabrication technology f3t. We fabricate finish and deliver your parts from our facility in west bend wisconsin. Here s some interesting new technology that has huge potential all across the automotive specialty industry. Rapid prototyping for sheet metal parts posted in the technical forum.

Ford s f3t manufacturing tech makes prototyping more rapid. Rapid prototyping is a decades long trend in manufacturing but it s gotten special attention. Can do sheet metal stampings in hours instead of weeks. Rapid prototyping for sheet metal components.

Sadly stamping can take up to 6 8 weeks from the time the design leaves the cad station so it s not great for prototyping. Automotive applications include prototyping concept vehicles and vehicle personalization. Ford reveals new rapid prototyping and low volume production techniques w video. Boomerang provides quick turnarounds of rapid prototypes sheet metal fabrication as well as low volume production short run assemblies and custom one of a kind products for your next trade show event.

Over the last 100 years or so the ford motor company has gotten really good at stamping sheet metal parts. By john hewitt on july 4 2013 at 10 25 am.