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How NM3D supports the automotive industry and component manufacturers throughout the entire production cycle

The automotive industry is undergoing a phase of profound transformation, marked by vehicle electrification, the growing incorporation of plastic components and lightweight materials, reduced development cycles, and increasingly stringent requirements in terms of quality, reliability, and traceability.
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The automotive industry is undergoing a phase of profound transformation, marked by vehicle electrification, the growing incorporation of plastic components and lightweight materials, reduced development cycles, and increasingly stringent requirements in terms of quality, reliability, and traceability.

In this context, NM3D Ibérica positions itself as a technology partner for the automotive industry and component manufacturers, supporting them with advanced industrial metrology services, non-destructive inspection, 3D scanning, reverse engineering, and additive manufacturing, from initial concept to series production.

Context and challenge

Current challenges in the automotive industry

Vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1, Tier 2, and specialized suppliers face very specific challenges:

  • growing integration of plastic parts and injection-molded components
  • increasing geometric complexity
  • vehicle electrification and associated new systems
  • quality control of automotive batteries
  • reduction of time-to-market
  • rapid validation of pre-series and first articles
  • need for fast, data-driven technical decisions

Responding to these challenges requires specialized technical services capable of supporting the entire product lifecycle.

The solution or technology

X-Ray Inspection and Industrial Computed Tomography

Ensuring internal quality in metallic, plastic components and battery systems

In the automotive industry, many critical defects are not externally visible, especially in injection-molded parts, structural components, and systems associated with electrification.

Industrial Computed Tomography allows analysis of the interior of parts and assemblies without destruction, being an essential tool for:

  • detection of porosity, cracks, and inclusions in cast parts
  • analysis of internal defects in injection-molded plastic parts
  • validation of internal channels and wall thicknesses
  • inspection of assembled components without disassembly
  • structural analysis of automotive batteries and their components

Dimensional metrology and quality control

Precision for series production and new vehicle architectures

Dimensional metrology is critical to ensure conformity of metallic and plastic components over time and production volume.

NM3D supports the automotive industry with:

  • complete dimensional inspection of parts and assemblies
  • validation of first articles and pre-series (FAI / PPAP)
  • dimensional control of injection-molded parts
  • measurement of large-dimension components
  • measurements in laboratory or directly on the production floor

3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering

Flexibility for development, industrialization, and maintenance

3D scanning and reverse engineering are key tools to accelerate automotive projects and solve production problems.

NM3D supports automotive manufacturers in:

  • reverse engineering of parts without CAD model
  • CAD vs. actual part comparison
  • deformation analysis in plastic parts
  • re-engineering of discontinued components
  • rapid geometric validation in production environment

Additive manufacturing and industrial prototyping

Accelerating development and reducing risks in automotive projects

Additive manufacturing is today a strategic tool to accelerate the development of vehicles and components.

NM3D provides additive manufacturing services oriented to the automotive industry, enabling:

  • production of functional prototypes
  • geometric and functional validation of components
  • production of small series
  • manufacturing of auxiliary production devices
  • production of large-dimension parts

Specific support for electrification and automotive batteries

The transition to electrified vehicles introduces new challenges in terms of safety, quality, and validation.

NM3D supports projects related to automotive electrification through:

  • internal inspection of battery components
  • structural analysis of cases and modules
  • dimensional control of critical components
  • 3D scanning for assembly validation

This technical support enables increased system reliability and reduced risks associated with electrification.

Industrial applications

Application examples in Computed Tomography:

  • injection-molded plastic housings and supports
  • structural components in aluminum and polymers
  • battery cases and modules
  • internal connections and critical zones of electrified systems

These services enable identification of root cause of defects, improvement of injection and assembly processes, and increased reliability of the final product.

Application examples in Dimensional metrology:

  • dimensional control of plastic and injection-molded parts
  • validation of fits and assemblies
  • control of deformations after thermal processes
  • dimensional verification of battery components

These services enable reduction of rework, process stabilization, and guaranteed repeatability in production.

Application examples in 3D Scanning:

  • deformation analysis in injection-molded parts
  • correction of molds and tools
  • adaptation of existing components to new projects
  • in-situ scanning of large-dimension components

These technologies enable reduced dependence on incomplete documentation and increased industrial agility.

Application examples in Additive manufacturing:

  • prototypes for design validation
  • assembly supports and fixtures
  • technical parts for functional testing
  • auxiliary production line components

Prototyping enables significant reduction of project times and industrialization costs.

Results and benefits

Support throughout the entire automotive product lifecycle

NM3D accompanies its clients in all phases:

Concept and development

  • prototyping
  • 3D scanning
  • reverse engineering

Industrialization

  • first article validation
  • dimensional control
  • process adjustment

Series production

  • non-destructive inspection
  • quality control
  • deviation analysis

Continuous improvement

  • failure analysis
  • process optimization
  • re-engineering

A strategic partner for the automotive industry

By integrating metrology, inspection, 3D scanning, reverse engineering, and additive manufacturing, NM3D Ibérica helps automotive manufacturers and their suppliers to:

  • accelerate product development
  • improve quality and reliability
  • reduce technical risks
  • respond to electrification challenges
  • meet quality and traceability requirements

NM3D thus establishes itself as a strategic partner for the automotive industry, prepared to support current and future challenges of the sector.

How NM3D can help

NM3D Ibérica positions itself as a technology partner for the automotive industry and component manufacturers, supporting them with advanced industrial metrology services, non-destructive inspection, 3D scanning, reverse engineering, and additive manufacturing, from initial concept to series production, in all phases of the product lifecycle.

Would you like to assess this solution for your application?

Discover how NM3D can support your automotive projects with advanced metrology, inspection, 3D scanning, and additive manufacturing solutions. Contact our specialists for a personalized analysis of your needs.

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