VectorAutomotive iP, a powerful cost-cutting tool in the cutting room

To date, 158 VectorAutomotive iPs have been sold. Tier-1 automotive suppliers Tesca, Forvia and China-based Guangzhou Jizhong are among the major seating and interior manufacturers that have increased their profitability thanks to VectorAutomotive iP’s cost-cutting capabilities. 

Approximately 80% to 90% of cutting room costs are directly attributable to automotive materials. The highly intricate shapes of cut parts for automotive seating and interiors require considerable cutting buffer to ensure quality and prevent scrap and waste. Because automotive suppliers consume vast quantities of expensive automotive textiles on an annual basis, material savings hold tremendous potential for cost savings in the cutting room.  

Lectra’s pioneering VectorAutomotive iP range features advanced cutting head design, high-accuracy software drivers and a specially designed narrow-profile blade made of sinter-hardened steel, for reinforced durability to prevent bending during cutting.

Its unique hardware and software combination enables real-time management of common lines to adapt the position of the cutting blade and achieve near 0-buffer cutting on a variety of automotive materials and cut parts.

For each millimeter of cutting buffer eliminated, VectorAutomotive iP saves 1% of automotive material and roll goods. 

Like its predecessors, the VectorAutomotive iP range comes with embedded sensors connected to Lectra’s predictive maintenance services. Before a production mishap even occurs, Lectra’s technical experts detect issues and quickly intervene to resolve up to 80% of customer queries remotely.

Production performance indicators accessible via the solution’s integrated web-based dashboard enable cutting activity to be monitored from any device, anytime, anywhere.

To protect customer investment in advanced cutting equipment, a complete range of maintenance services prevent unplanned downtime for high availability and uninterrupted production. 

Automotive suppliers must demonstrate continuous improvement to the OEMs that make significant investments in their production environment.

As of implementation, the VectorAutomotive iP range offers significant material savings by substantially reducing cutting buffer. These material savings translate into a reduction of material costs in an area of production where each percentage gain can amount to hundreds of dollars in annual savings.

This is especially crucial when responding to RFQs, which are calculated based on set costs. Unforeseen errors in material consumption can quickly cut into profit margins. 

VectorAutomotive iP6 and iP9 are the first fabric-cutting solutions on the market to combine breakthrough cutting equipment innovation with an optimized software application and long-life consumables designed to increase uptime, including long-life bristle blocks and sharpening belts.

In addition to saving 1% of automotive upholstery and roll goods for each millimeter of cutting buffer eliminated, VectorAutomotive iP also significantly increases cutting time by halving the number of scheduled maintenance operations compared to the previous generation of Vector fabric cutter.

Consequently, the longer lifespan of parts and revised maintenance schedule reduce the overall expense of cutting consumables and maintenance kits. This optimum cutting performance maximizes cutting time for greater profitability, delivering a return between 12 and 24 months on average.   

VectorAutomotive iP’s material optimization enables a considerable reduction in scrap and waste, while at the same time improving the quality of cut parts.

For every incremental improvement to cut part quality, a reduction in carbon emissions can be observed. Precision cutting with minimal buffer leads to sustainable cutting activities that can contribute to the company’s overall environmental initiatives.

This is especially important in an industry that uses bonded multi-layer fabrics that are difficult if not impossible to recycle.

By reducing consumption at the source using VectorAutomotive iP, automotive seating suppliers minimize the need to recycle or dispose of scrap and waste.

Due to the cost-prohibitive nature of automotive upholstery recycling as well as the lack of adequate infrasctructure in many regions, optimization of material consumption offers the most practical and economical solution to running a more efficient and sustainable cutting room.