Nissan has developed a new way of using robots to make sheet steel parts, the company said in a press release. According to the Japanese automaker, this is a breakthrough that could make parts for discontinued models more affordable to customers.
Nissan hopes to commercialize a technology known as double-sided dieless stamping. It involves two synchronized robots working on opposite sides of a steel sheet, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.
The new technology is said to provide flexible manufacturing, short delivery times and minimal upfront costs. In addition, this technology can enable a wide range of aftermarket and low volume replacement parts for automobiles. Previously, this was not possible due to high initial costs and long development and production times for dies for stamped parts.
The technology was developed at Nissan's R&D Center as well as the automaker's R&D department. Nissan plans to mass produce this technology, while its R&D team strives to make it more flexible and efficient.
