Time is an important factor when you’re trying to develop competitive products. New digitalization methods help us move from the initial idea to the first model or prototype more quickly — with global interdisciplinary collaboration at the push of a button.
In the process, we work with virtual reality headsets and CAE (computer-aided engineering) applications. VR headsets can be used to alter virtual models that appear suspended in space, and VR can also be used to export sketches and transfer them to standard 3D tools. With CAE optimization techniques and digitalization, we can identify new design possibilities that ensure maximum use of lightweight engineering or new methods, for passive safety and the execution of crash tests, for example.
Customizing ideas
In a world in which individual preferences are becoming more and more important, customers are increasingly looking for customized vehicle designs. We’re using 3D printing technology to search for flexible and economical solutions here.
3D-printed spare parts
It is now possible to integrate a farebox manufactured using 3D printing into the driver cockpit in Mercedes-Benz city buses. Thanks to 3D printing, truck replacement parts are also now available on demand, which enables rapid and economical production of low unit volumes as well, and also reduces inventory costs and resource utilization.
Now also in metal
The first metal truck replacement part has now been 3D printed in original quality. The part in question is a very robust thermostat cap for trucks and Unimog models from older Mercedes-Benz model series.