Chrysler is planning to use 3D techniques for the manufacturing of its future products in its Kokomo, Indiana facility.
The 3D modeling will be used to build two different transmissions at the Indiana plant that will save engineering costs for the development of production methods.
It will also be used to design eight-speed rear-wheel drive and nine-speed front-wheel drive as well as other new powertrain programs.
Chrysler Group vice president and head of NAFTA powertrain operations and global powertrain manufacturing engineering Brian Harlow said," By using 3D technology, we are in effect injecting the principles of WCM from the very beginning of our planning for production startups such as the ones in Kokomo."
WCM is an integrated system that includes all plant processes and aims to improve performance in order to reach the objective of zero waste, which comprises zero accidents, zero breakdowns, zero waste of motion and zero inventories.
With the help of Strategic Manufacturing Solutions (SMS), the company is using a 3D modeling system for powertrain manufacturing which offers the possibility to visualize the entire plants, including equipment, parts and people, and test how they would work together.
The new system, will allow Chrysler and SMS engineers to see the production process effectively than with two-dimensional modeling.
Chrysler will commence production of its eight-speed transmission in the fourth quarter, while the nine-speed transmission at the starting of 2013.
