The bus industry, especially highway coaches, is in a demanding environment to keep up with changing demands. Design changes are brought about as functionality and weight specifications change due to advances in material and manufacturing technologies or are required by new standards. Such was the case with Motor Coach industries as they initiated a project to introduce a new moulding technology that would ensure a lighter more economical and robust baggage door for their coach. In doing so the CIC provided the project services where technical gaps existed in design, process definition, fabrication trials, prototype testing and project management.
“The CIC provided the tools and technical expertise to develop a product that is lighter and less expensive, while providing all key functional qualities required. The CIC also has the ability to manage a product development program with a turn-key type specification driven cycle, key to manufacturers with short product development timelines. We are now confident in our abilities to develop products based on the technical skills received from the CIC to set up and deliver complicated structural composite based products within our business.”
Motor Coach Industries
From an initial weight of 89 lb. design efforts reduce the weight of the baggage door by 19.6 lb. Along with material savings and manufacturing process improvements the cost of manufacture was reduced by $87 per door. Behind this success is a satisfied customer who continues with confidence to undertake new projects with the CIC team.
