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Design Philosophy

Netform develops products as one part of larger whole. Products are not merely built to a print, but (re)designed for business outcomes.

Netform Approach

.VS.

Conventional Approach

Design Methodology for Cost-Effective Powertrain Components.

Parts are rarely, if ever, designed for cold forming. Consequently, there are steps that are critical to achieve cost-effective cold formed components and assemblies.

Early Design Reviews

Early customer/Netform design reviews (prior to prototype print generation) should be carried out to identify key surfaces and features. These reviews provide the opportunity to think outside of the box and re-design/combine parts where possible.

Complete System Reviews

By reviewing the entire cross section, not just the individual product print, components can be designed for consolidation.

Leverage Net-Formed Surfaces

Involving manufacturing early in the design process provides the opportunity to see where parts can be used as-formed. This will lead to reduced costs in several areas.

Leverage Formed Cross Sections

The ability of cold forming to vary cross sections can lead to the elimination of welds. Focus on them to see if they are really necessary.

Leverage Work Hardening

Use the work hardening that comes with cold forming to either eliminate or simplify/lower the cost of heat treatments.

Avoid Carrying Over Designs

It is important to avoid carrying over part design criteria in order to achieve cost-effective product designs.

Netform Design Approach

Netform does not develop finished products, but rather it develops products as one part of a larger whole. Products not built to a print, but outcomes.

Every product NETFORM develops is different – this is because all customer requirements and desired outcomes differ depending on the application. This requires a unique overall approach of successfully marrying product needs with the capabilities of cold forming. This enables the design of powertrain components that provide weight reduction, part consolidation, strength increase, improved packaging, etc

To summarize – involve Netform early, share the overall design concept and involve manufacturing.

Doing this will give the best results with regard to designing cost-effective cold formed components and assemblies. When the NETFORM design philosophy is applied the following outcomes are possible:

Weight Reduction

Fatigue Life Improvements

Cost Reduction

Improved Packaging

Component Consolidation

Environmental

Reduced Machining

Weld Elimination

Heat treat Elimination

Tooling Cost Reduction

Thermal Dissipation

Porosity Avoidance

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