Onsite Prototypes for Premium Chassis Parts

Building Premium Chassis Parts

From identifying an issue with an OE part to reverse engineering the part, developing premium steering and suspension parts is a long process that involves countless hours of hard work. For the MOOG® team, in-house prototyping and testing are critical to the design and development of MOOG steering and suspension parts.

Once MOOG has reverse engineered the OE part, the next step is to design and fabricate a MOOG prototype to address the concerns with the original part. The in-house development of prototype designs is key to MOOG’s commitment to bringing well-engineered solutions to the technician.

What is a Prototype?

A prototype is an early model of a potential part that is created to test the viability of the design. Creating a prototype of a potential design is an important part of the research and development process of aftermarket auto parts. In-house prototyping allows MOOG to bring innovative designs to market faster.

When creating a prototype, companies have two options: have an outside company create the part, or make the prototype in-house. For MOOG, the decision to create its prototypes in-house plays a large role in its success.

MOOG’s In-House Prototyping Process

Vital to MOOG’s ability to create prototype designs in-house are two pieces of equipment – CNC lathe and a spinner. The CNC lathe is the workhorse of MOOG’s onsite machine shop, with it the MOOG team can create precision components that require tight tolerances and accuracy. Next, the spinner is the machine that closes ball joints. Having these machines housed in MOOG’s machine shop improves efficiency and eliminates the need to shuttle parts back and forth from the plant for assembly.

This efficiency allows MOOG engineers to begin development of the next Problem Solver innovation. Once a prototype is developed, the MOOG team can begin laboratory and on-vehicle testing. The ability to make a prototype and test it onsite results in MOOG creating steering and suspension parts that are designed, tested and manufactured for easy installation and long-lasting performance.

Advantages of In-House Prototyping

From accelerating the overall design process to reducing turnaround time, creating prototypes onsite gives MOOG an advantage in the development of steering and suspension parts. MOOG can create precision components without compromises due to time or cost constraints. Doing all of this work onsite cuts down the lead time not only for making prototypes but also for overall product development which helps MOOG bring quality parts to market sooner.

Advantages of MOOG’s in-house approach include:

• Response to Marketplace
  In-house prototyping allows MOOG to respond to the needs of the marketplace in a timely manner with premium steering and suspension parts.
• Reduces Turnaround Time
  By not waiting for an outside company to produce a prototype, MOOG can reduce the overall time needed to develop a part -- no waiting for shipping or unexpected delays that can occur.
• Multiple Designs Aren’t a Problem
  Creating multiple designs concurrently to find the optimum solution can be done without a major hit to the budget or timeline. Need to change the location or size of component? With MOOG’s in-house prototyping, changes are easy to make.
• Design Freedom
  In-house prototyping gives the MOOG team the freedom to try new ideas or processes knowing parts can be produced as designed, without being limited by an outside supplier’s capability.

Learn more about premium steering and suspension parts, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today.

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.