Chrysler Using 3D Modeling System to Improve Manufacturing Processes
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Chrysler is using a type of 3D modeling software that allows the company to develop virtual manufacturing technologies and processes, thereby avoiding potential problems and cost-related issues in advance of actual manufacturing.
by Staff
August 9, 2012
An image from Chrysler's 3D modeling system that it's using to improve its manufacturing processes.
2 min to read
An image from Chrysler's 3D modeling system that it's using to improve its manufacturing processes.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Chrysler Group LLC is using a 3D modeling system to improve how its powertrain manufacturing processes. The automaker said this technology, which Chrysler utilizes with the help of Michigan-based Strategic Manufacturing Solutions (SMS), helps everyone working on powertrain manufacturing see the shop floor “as it really is” and not as how an individual might imagine it. The software helps engineers address issues that could delay a program or cost money to fix even before equipment arrives at the plant for manufacturing.
Chrysler stated it's using this 3D system in its up-front processes to prepare for the launch of two new transmissions in Kokomo, Ind., the eight-speed rear-wheel drive and nine-speed front-wheel drive, in addition to other new powertrain programs.
Ad Loading...
The automaker’s 3D software technology uses layouts of the manufacturing area to help those involved with the overall process figure out where to position racks and materials to bring them efficiently to operators in the “Golden Zone,” a 60-degree window that is ideal to present parts, according to Chrysler.
The 3D software can also show an “exploded” view of a machine, which allows operators to see how all its parts fit together, and how to better maintain and repair that device. The company's Brian Harlow, vice president, head of NAFTA Powertrain Operations and Global Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering, said animation is another aspect of the 3D software that allows the company to validate cycle times and discover any system-related issues that could crop up before the machinery is built.
Chrysler noted that another benefit is the immediate exchange of information between plants around the world, machine tool builders, and Chrysler’s partner SMS. People at a plant can use a computerized white board to write directly on layouts, and that information is transmitted back to SMS, where people there can immediately integrate the changes into a master layout. These layouts are accessible via a remote access system to anyone involved in Chrysler’s development process anywhere in the world, the company stated.
Controlling costs is yet another benefit the system provides. The system features a financial calculator that can take into account variables such as capital investment, capacity, operating budget, perimeter costs and cost per unit and show how they affect one another. This allows Chrysler to make fast, informed decisions, the company stated.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.
