Want to go from automotive prototyping to production parts faster?

Automakers everywhere are racing to shrink product development cycles. Those who win that race share one important trait:

They choose their materials wisely from day one.

Pick the wrong material for prototype parts and you’re looking at delays, last minute redesigns, failed testing, and missed production deadlines.

Start with the right materials though? You could cut months off your total development timeline.

Let’s talk about how that’s possible.

In this article you’ll learn:

1. Why Material Selection Speeds Up Automotive Production
2. How Wholesale Plastic Sheets Help with Rapid Prototyping
3. Top 4 Plastics for Automotive Prototyping
4. Going From Prototype Parts To Production Parts Quickly

Why Material Selection Speeds Up Automotive Production

The automotive industry is moving faster than ever.

In fact, according to McKinsey, new vehicle models produced by Chinese, EV-focused automakers are taking just 24 months to go from concept to launch. Compare that to the average automotive company’s product development cycle of 40-50 months and you’ll understand why speed to market is critical.

Chinese automakers are beating the competition because they’re making smarter material choices at every stage of the product development process.

One of the biggest places material decisions matter is during prototyping. Building your prototype model with materials that are easy to machine and directly available for production helps ensure your prototype part acts exactly like the final production part will. That makes your tests more accurate and helps identify any potential issues faster. Plus, you’ll be able to move parts to production without needing to source new materials or swapping to different suppliers.

You can think of it like this…

Say your prototype part is made out of a material that isn’t available in production form. Then you perform all of your testing on that prototype part. But because the materials are different your testing data is basically useless. You’re back at square one.

By choosing materials that are identical to what will be used in production you remove this risk completely.

How Wholesale Plastic Sheets Help With Rapid Prototyping

Prototyping is where the magic begins. But without the right materials that process can drag on for far too long.

This is where wholesale plastic sheets come into play.

According to a recent industry report, the modern vehicle is made up of nearly 50% plastics and plastic composite materials by volume. You can expect to see that number rise as more and more applications are found for this versatile material.

Buying wholesale plastic sheets gives you access to high-quality plastics that are easy to machine and form into just about any type of part. When sourcing durable ABS plastic sheets and other engineering-grade wholesale plastic sheets, those materials can be purchased in bulk directly from the original manufacturer. That means your engineering team can prototype with the exact same material that will be used during the production phase.

There are a number of benefits to this approach:

1. Material consistency – Since you’re using the same material your testing data becomes far more accurate.
2. Shorter lead times – Purchasing wholesale sheets typically means faster delivery vs. buying smaller quantities.
3. Lower per unit cost – Bulk buying saves you money which lets you allocate resources elsewhere.

Another huge win for machining wholesale plastic sheets into prototype parts.

Top 4 Plastics for Automotive Prototyping

All plastics are not created equal. And when it comes to automotive prototyping there are a few that stand out from the rest.

Here are the 4 best plastics for automotive prototyping.

• ABS Plastic: Impact resistant and machinable. Commonly used throughout the interior of a vehicle for things like trim pieces, dash components, and structural supports.

• Polypropylene (PP): Lightweight and resistant to many chemicals. Often used for bumpers, battery boxes, and under-hood components.

• Polycarbonate (PC): Extra strong and optically clear. You’ll find this plastic used in headlight lenses, instrument clusters, and many safety components.

• HDPE: Durable and resistant to moisture. Commonly used for fuel tanks, fluid containers, and protective enclosures.

Each of these plastics can be purchased as wholesale plastic sheets then cut to size and used right away. With so much flexibility at your fingertips it’s no wonder these 4 materials are the most common for prototyping.

Just remember this…

If you aren’t prototyping with the material that will be used in production you’re doing it wrong. Keep your parts simple by using the same material from start to finish.

Going From Prototype Parts To Production Parts Quickly

Here is the part that trips up most teams.

Transitioning from prototype parts to production parts is often where delays are introduced to the product development process.

Want to learn how to avoid that?

Ensure you start your prototype using materials that will be available for production. Wholesale plastic sheets are recommended here.

The last thing you want to do is create your prototype out of one material, only to find out that your production material acts completely different. Then you have to throw out all of your prototype testing data and start over.

Not good.

By sourcing the exact same material for prototyping you eliminate this risk.

You should also consider working with a supplier that can support you during both phases. Many companies who sell wholesale plastic sheets struggle to fulfill small orders or charge excessive prices. Things don’t scale as production ramps up.

That’s why finding a supplier that supports the entire product development process matters.

Wrap Up

If there’s one thing you take away from this article let it be this.

Material selection matters. A lot.

By choosing the right materials at the prototype stage you’re setting yourself up to succeed long before the first part is ever produced. Wholesale plastic sheets are the perfect starting point for any automotive project. Buy direct from the manufacturer in bulk and you’ll never have to worry about material availability when it’s time to go to production.

To summarize:

• Start with production grade materials and try to match those as closely as possible during prototyping.
• Source your materials directly from the manufacturer so you don’t have to worry about material shortages later.
• Test early and test often. There’s no such thing as too much testing.
• Work with a supplier that can support you through both the prototype and production stages.

Accelerating your time to market all starts with the right material choices. Make those choices count.

Until next time.