【3D Printing Application】Nissan and BCN3D: Delivery Time Reduced from One Week to One Day!
NISSAN Yulon, a global automotive brand, is the world's second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer, with global sales exceeding 320,000 units, second only to Tesla. NISSAN's 3D printing factory in Barcelona innovatively uses independent dual extruder 3D printing technology (IDEX) to successfully produce 700 types of tools, jigs, and fixtures for automotive production lines. This has led to significant breakthroughs in both time and cost! Delivery time has been reduced from "one week" to "one day," and costs have been reduced by "20 times." Let's take a look at three key tools:
The team at NISSAN's 3D printing factory specifically chose BCN3D 3D printers, which feature the unique IDEX (Independent Dual Extruders) technology. With IDEX, the two printheads are completely separate and can move independently. When 3D printing with IDEX technology, you can choose between "duplicate" and "mirror" modes. Both printheads operate simultaneously, achieving double efficiency and productivity in the same amount of time!
Before using 3D printing technology, NISSAN outsourced all prototypes and specific fixtures to traditional mechanical manufacturers for production. The back-and-forth communication and adjustments required a significant amount of time and money. Furthermore, limited delivery times hindered the team's production process. In the past, it took "one week" to go from design to production. The team found that using 3D printing technology reduced the delivery time to "one day." In terms of cost, methods like CNC drilling in the past were about 20 times more expensive than 3D printing!
After witnessing the production value of BCN3D 3D printers, the team acquired a BCN3D Sigmax 3D printer and developed it into a production factory for their employees. With the BCN3D Independent Dual Extruder System (IDEX), the team successfully doubled their production efficiency and maintained stable results throughout long production processes.
．Windshield Centering Gauge
NISSAN uses BCN3D 3D printers to produce "windshield centering gauges" for cars. This tool ensures the correct distance between the car's A-pillar and the windshield. When the gauge is fixed to a car part, it secures one side, and when reversed, it secures the other, ensuring accuracy and speeding up the fixing process each time. The dimensions of the windshield centering gauge are 100 x 120 x 80mm. It is made from strong TPU material, costs NT$260, and takes 14 hours to produce.
．Car Drill Position Indicator
Next, this tool will consist of 5 connected parts, measuring 1000 x 400 x 15mm. It is NISSAN's largest 3D printed tool. Each section of this positioning tool takes an average of 15 hours to print using ABS material, with a cost of NT$700. Its main function is as a drill position indicator, maintaining consistency throughout each vehicle assembly process and allowing operators to easily and conveniently align positions.
．Car License Plate Alignment Tool
As shown in the figure below, this tool has both positioning and fixing functions. The operator can correctly align the car model nameplate every time, and two gauges are installed between the rear panel and the trunk door to ensure that the nameplate is always positioned in the same place. It is used by fixing it to the thin metal sheet of the car, with dimensions of 300 × 80 x 3mm. Since the UV LED strip at the bottom of the car is cured with a special adhesive, the letters can be successfully welded to the car body. This part is made of ABS material, took a total of 12 hours, and cost NT$115.
In addition to using plastic 3D printing filaments, NISSAN is also continuously developing metal materials. What sets them apart from other car manufacturers is their drive and expertise in assembling different car models, making innovative technology their brand advantage! Did you enjoy this sharing? We offer more than just 3D printing. Contact us now to learn more about the BCN3D series of 3D printers.
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