UK’s DSD to set up new facility to facilitate faster prototype to production

Automotive engineering consultancy Drive System Design (DSD) is to set up an on-site low volume assembly facility to help clients overcome the challenges of New Product Introduction (NPI) by smoothing the transition from prototype to production manufacturing volumes.

Unlike a conventional supplier, DSD says it will shoulder project responsibility for this key phase of any programme, accelerating prototype designs to production-ready status.

“Providing manufacturing engineering support as an integral part of design and development is essential,” explains Pete Dilley, DSD’s new manufacturing engineering manager. “In addition to providing a low volume assembly facility, ahead of full-scale production at the client or supplier site, we will contribute production line layout and design; production jig and fixture design and support supply chain and logistics planning. For clients who already have production facilities, we will also help with the resolution of production line issues and provide on-site teams to support the customer throughout the NPI phase or existing production.”

In conjunction with DSD’s new facility, Pete will lead the team for both in-house manufacturing and external support on manufacturing and NPI.

“Workload peaks massively during NPI, so clients frequently outsource to overcome resource constraints, then find they have effectively just bought lots of prototypes without moving the design forward,” explains Pete. “Our service is different because we will manage NPI as a complete project phase, just as the client would, resolving engineering or manufacturing issues and applying robust solutions to achieve quality production standards.”

The standards he refers to include industry best practices from across sectors, heavily influenced by Six Sigma.

DSD will continue to use its existing supplier base for operations such as machining and surface treatment. “When you have an established supplier network, with good performance on quality and delivery, it makes no sense to duplicate that capability,” he explains. “Instead, we are adding something new that will help our customers through the ramp-up volumes associated with NPI in a highly cost-effective way.”

Drive System Design (DSD) is an engineering consultancy specialising in the design, development and control of transmission and future driveline systems. The company’s staff has experience working with vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1s around the world, designing new technologies and solving problems to make their products more competitive. Working closely with its customers through technical centres in Europe and North America, DSD is recognised as a world leading expert in driveline refinement, efficiency improvement and hybrid and electric vehicle transmissions.