As part of the continuing series of discussions on digital processes for the Automotive Industry, this article focuses on automation advantages when working with Leather.

Production Challenges

Production methods for automotive interiors tend to utilize a familiar, labor and cost intensive approach. This is an issue in all cases and becomes especially problematic when luxury items such as leather interiors are concerned.

Leather requires special handling to work within the high-grade areas of the material. Consumer expectations for the finished product are also high. Precise material cutting and custom printing options become key considerations in this stage of the process. 3D digital patterning and automated cutting solutions aid manufacturers in addressing these issues.

Production Prep

Production preparation (prep) can be loosely defined as all of the operations needed to generate pattern files, marker sets and drawings for the fabrication team. Definitions for seam allowance, labels, notch locations, and item call outs are just a few of the factors that must be considered. Pattern nesting for cutting time and material cost optimization are also included in this stage of the process.

The STO can be updated to include all of the production information such as seam tables, piece and notch tabs, BOM's and material call outs.  Virtually everything needed for automated cutting and assembly. — The STO can be updated to include all of the production information such as seam tables, piece and notch tabs, BOM's and material call outs. Virtually everything needed for automated cutting and assembly.

Digital Patterning solution provide manufacturers with a way to manage all of these complex and often competing constraints simultaneously. For example, seams and notch tags can be added automatically to a set of patterns based on company standards. Edge associations ensure that changes or additions on one edge are propagated to all corresponding edges with a single click.

Automated Cutting

The most recent generation of automated cutters manage several aspects of the process with little or no additional manual intervention once the team has:

Rendered and aligned graphics to the pattern pieces during flattening
Completed the nesting tasks and generated the marker set
Classified the differing quality areas on the material

With these steps done it's a simple process to cut perfect pieces and to assemble quality products in record time. Click on the image below to see the process in action.

Automated cutting tables work directly with the output from ExactFlat Digital Patterning software. This reduces the steps between CAD and Cutter, saving time and eliminating errors.

Speak with the Experts

If you have questions about how transitioning to digital patterning can enhance your process, contact our experts. Just click on the images below to schedule a time to talk.

We'll also be attending the Automotive Interiors shows in Messe Stuttgart, Germany (5,6,7 June, 2018) and Novi, Michigan, USA (23, 24, 25 Oct 2018). Let us know if you're attending and we can set up a time to meet.