Oct 01/24
Automotive Prototyping: Expert Insights Into the Process
Automotive prototyping is already proving itself, with some users reporting how it makes the design process four or five times faster than otherwise. Not everyone is up-to-speed on this process, however, despite how important it is to understand so that you can leverage the process yourself.
The following article will show how Mayco International leverages modern prototyping techniques to ensure a high-quality product. Learn Mayco’s core automotive prototyping steps and how they can give you the best and fastest results during the vehicle design process.
Concepting and Design
At Mayco Internationa, the conception phase starts with conducting market research. At this stage, it is crucial to ensure that you have identified the customer’s needs so you can focus your efforts on the most relevant designs.
During this phase, engineers and designers will work together to produce initial sketches and 3D models, which they will use as the basis for further development. They will also engage in workshops and open discussions to ensure the team does not ignore valid ideas and that they can run through several design iterations faster.
Modeling With Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Mayco will theorize which of their designs will most likely fulfill the customer’s requirements. Then, using CAD software, Mayco models software to create digital models of the resulting product. The designers ensure these models receive detailed instructions related to their specifications to simulate genuine products made of the same materials.
Mayco then runs CAD simulations to predict the performance of the product in question. Through iterative design changes, they will discover areas where the product will likely fail and adjust the model again with each one. Some of the simulations Mayco will perform include:
- Aerodynamics
- Structural integrity under strain
- Thermal resistance
- Safety tests
In many cases, designers will program the simulation to try out several variations with minor differences automatically. This process can “evolve” a version that best matches the requirements.
Building Physical Prototypes
Following the CAD stage, Mayco builds physical prototypes through both traditional and modern manufacturing methods.
These prototypes undergo rigorous inspection before being tested in ways similar to prior automated simulations. Performing these tests outside a simulation allows Mayco to discover issues that a program may not, such as ergonomic or UX concerns.
Iterating and Refinement
Throughout the automotive engineering prototyping process, Mayco draws new conclusions with each iteration, allowing them to update their designs. When they discover an area of failure, they will update the CAD models with new data and iterate through each step to find the best version of the product they can make. This feedback loop continues until the customer is content with the resulting product.
Meet the Highest Standards With Automotive Prototyping From Mayco International
R&D in automobiles demands a rigorous prototyping process to guarantee that the resulting product is robust and well-refined. The complete testing process ensures you receive top-tier prototypes and detailed information on what succeeded and failed at each step.
Mayco International takes its design process seriously and, with its extensive experience, can offer you a smooth and fast prototyping process you can trust. So, contact us today to learn how to leverage our expertise in automotive prototyping and ensure your vehicle’s design process is as robust as possible.