From the planning stages of an automobile to its sale, there are numerous procedures that must be followed. Companies must comprehend each design process because the design process used in the development of automobiles has undergone significant modification. I will outline the steps in the automotive design process in this essay, along with important considerations.

Process of designing cars

Design is the process of figuring out the best ways to accomplish a goal and find integrated solutions to challenges. The five phases of the automotive design process are the main divisions. Market research, concept design, product layout definition, conformity verification, and detailed design are some of these. We will go into great detail about each design process in the paragraphs that follow.

Market analysis

A firm is an organisation that creates value for users and consumers through its commercial endeavours, makes money, and grows. Therefore, it can be concluded that increasing client happiness is the most crucial factor in business. To satisfy customer needs, market research is crucial. It is essential to thoroughly research the type of car the potential customer is seeking while taking into account how relevant it is to your offering.

The “sales promotion survey,” “pricing survey,” “product development survey,” and “satisfaction survey” are the four most popular particular approaches. In the “sales promotion survey,” we look at the kind of events and marketing that will boost sales. Price surveys are conducted to learn what prospective customers consider to be a suitable price range. We listen to complaints and requests about the products we are now using in the “product development survey” in order to identify potential consumers’ underlying needs. “Satisfaction survey” refers to a survey to learn about the product’s evaluation and potential development areas.

It is essential to carry out market research from a variety of perspectives in order to develop top-notch products, and to base product concepts on the findings. Your company’s current “strengths” and “weaknesses” will become clear through thorough research, resulting in an understanding of market sentiment and demand.

concept creation

This phase primarily involves the creation of sketches and mockups, as well as design verification and concept performance analysis using prototype vehicles. Concept and design for a product are crucial components. A product with explosive sales always has a distinct concept and an encapsulating design. Because of this, market research is crucial.

You can visualise what kind of car prospects are looking for by conducting thorough research. Concept design based on market research will make it possible to create products that understand the requirements of potential customers.

Establish product layout

We establish the layout of the car’s engine and wheels following the concept design. The process of defining the fundamental components of the car body, such as model configuration, dimensions, and mass, could be said to be this.

It is also possible to choose the drive type, for instance, front-wheel drive FF (front engine front drive), in which the engine is mounted up front, or FR (front engine rear drive), in which the front engine drives the rear wheels via the propeller shaft. to during this stage. Costs associated with development, costs, man-hours, etc. are also clarified at this point.

Verification of compliance

The construction of the product layout is followed by appropriateness assessment. Tens of thousands of pieces comprise each automobile, which must meet a number of quality criteria. Therefore, it may be claimed that standards and rules cannot be avoided in the design and development of automobiles.

To synchronise automotive safety, comfort, and environmental performance, international standards and regulatory restrictions are crucial. Manufacturing that disobeys norms, laws, and regulations is impossible in all industries, including the provision of goods to consumers and users. This stage involves identifying the laws and fundamental requirements and ensuring compliance with them.

Design in depth

The detailed design process follows the selection of the fundamental specifications. This is the procedure for creating precise design data for reliable product production. We complete design details like defining product parameters in accordance with requirements and assessing robustness and dependability.

Here, it’s crucial to move forward with the design while dissecting the entire system into its component parts. Moving from overall management to individual management, it is necessary to design the target performance and specifications of each system before designing the subsystems and parts that make up the system’s components.

Things to consider when designing

During the vehicle design process, there are two things to bear in mind. Both “systematisation of the design process” and “virtualization of the complete process from design to evaluation” fall under this heading. Here, we discuss each’s significance.

Streamline the creation procedure

For effective design work, the process must be systematised. Many businesses in the Japanese manufacturing sector use the “Plan” “Do” “Check” “Action” (PDCA) cycle to work on continuous improvement. The majority of businesses have not yet established systematic business processes at development and design sites, so this only applies to production sites.

You must streamline your design process if you want to increase productivity and operational effectiveness. One could say that it is crucial to carry out the tasks specified in each process, such as design protocols, intellectual environments, knowledge that should be discussed, and standards.

Process virtualization from design to evaluation

In the traditional design process, a prototype was created, it was prototyped, and it was then tested. Design management using the “MBD (Model Based Development)” system is gaining popularity right now. MBD is a technique for using a mathematical model to simulate design, prototyping, and evaluation in the automobile development process on a computer.

We can increase the effectiveness of design management work by virtualizing the entire process from design to evaluation. Costs associated with prototyping will also be significantly reduced as a result. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has promoted the MBD system as a way to increase the industry’s overall competitiveness. MBD is therefore anticipated to eventually set the bar for all future automotive design work.

Summary

With the growth of IT technology, the times are changing quickly. Similar to other industries, the automotive sector faces numerous obstacles to overcome, including diversifying customer needs and shortened product lifecycles. Improving the design process is crucial for finding solutions to problems and producing better products. We must therefore work to digitise the design process.