Case Study: Valeo achieves 98% faster inspection and $10K savings with Stratasys Fortus 900mc 3D printed fixtures

Valeo cuts inspection time 98.7% with Stratasys Fortus 900mc

Valeo, a global automotive technology leader, faced a significant production challenge when a heat exchanger pipe repeatedly failed to meet specifications. Manually inspecting each pipe with a coordinate measuring machine was too slow and expensive, risking major production delays. To solve this, they turned to vendor Stratasys and utilized a Fortus 900mc production system to 3D print a custom inspection fixture.

Stratasys provided the solution by 3D printing a go/no-go fixture from ASA thermoplastic. This approach drastically reduced the lead time for fixture production compared to machining. The results were substantial: Valeo achieved a 98.7% reduction in inspection time per pipe and saved $10,000 versus a machined alternative. The fixture was so effective it resolved the quality issue with zero defects and was subsequently adopted for inspecting all similar pipes in their facility.

Valeo