Ford calls this ford freeform fabrication technology f3t.
Ford rapid prototyping sheet metal.
To speed up prototyping ford has created a rapid process they call the ford freeform fabrication technology f3t for short.
Ford engineers are developing a highly flexible first of its kind patented technology to rapidly form sheet metal parts for low volume production applicati.
Ford reveals new rapid prototyping and low volume production techniques w video.
We would like to show you a description here but the site won t allow us.
Allowing them to fabricate a three dimensional part from a two dimensional sheet of metal in just hours.
Sadly stamping can take up to 6 8 weeks from the time the design leaves the cad station so it s not great for prototyping.
Over the last 100 years or so the ford motor company has gotten really good at stamping sheet metal parts.
Can do sheet metal stampings in hours instead of weeks.
See how ford does it with this short video video.