Case Study: FONTENAX (subsidiary of Samro) achieves 50% manufacturing cost reduction and equivalent structural performance with ANSYS DesignSpace

Up-Front Simulation Yields Cost Savings for Chassis and Trailer Manufacturer

FONTENAX, a subsidiary of Samro, needed to cost‑effectively design new truck bumper supports that met homologation requirements for multiple manufacturers; the parts were initially aluminum for weight savings but had high manufacturing costs. FONTENAX worked with ANSYS, using ANSYS DesignSpace integrated with their 3‑D CAD (Solid Edge), to perform up‑front simulation instead of relying on early physical prototypes.

ANSYS implemented a simulation workflow that modeled chassis tests and applied normalized impact loads, enabling FONTENAX to redesign the support in structural steel with equivalent structural behavior and similar weight. The change halved manufacturing costs, eliminated early prototypes and lab measures, and—with a production volume of about 8,000 supports per year—ANYSYS DesignSpace paid for itself in under one month.

FONTENAX

Pierre Reus

General Manager