At DVN we tend to focus primarily on innovations in light sources, semiconductors, and optical technique. But there’s constant innovation in every part of the vehicle lighting value chain, all of it worthy and important, and it was high time to dig into another key area for innovation: plastic mould design and construction, especially for optical lenses.
So I went visiting our toolmaker DVN members in Portugal, MD Group and Vangest-Moliporex, to see their latest products and innovations. Technology in their field is evolving fast, especially for new lit front and rear fascias, and mould makers are a key element for these new features.
Tooling is a crucial part of the lamp design process. Each and every unique vehicle lamp requires 12 to 20 weeks’ worth of milling, drilling, and polishing, and many, many Euros (…Dollars, Yen, Won, Yuan…). Tooling represents between five and 10 per cent of the complete revenue of the lighting ecosystem.
Product design, including simulation, is useless without the ability to build the tool and produce the components. I met with people who develop and realize what engineers have designed.
Tooling localization next to the final plant location is also essential to reduce schedule development. Tool shipment takes one to two months from one continent to another one, and is always at risk from pandemia, geopolitical instability, and all the other things that can disrupt supply chains. It’s all quite fascinating, and we’re happy to bring you this information.
Sincerely yours,