Steering through Piaggio’s Market Leadership and Material Constraints
Piaggio is Europe’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, ranging from small mopeds to high-performance motorbikes, and boasts an impressive resume of iconic brands. Operating with suppliers from diverse geographical locations, Piaggio's CAE analysts, Material Laboratory, and Design Department are key players in the material selection process and are facing unique challenges that are significantly impacting the durability and performance of their vehicles.
Navigating Material Obstacles in Piaggio’s Diverse Portfolio
Piaggio's CAE analysts encountered challenges related to the lack of durability and stress-strain curve data for materials used in their products. Sourcing materials from a diverse set of suppliers across geographical locations led to inconsistencies and inaccuracies in material data.
In the Materials Laboratory, obtaining reliable reference data was essential, especially when tasked with ensuring the materials' mechanical and durability properties met Piaggio's rigorous standards. Meanwhile, the Design Department faced challenges in choosing suitable materials based on component functionality and supplier options.
These challenges were complicated by a lack of affinity data between known and unknown materials, making it difficult to predict material behavior in real-world applications.
Unlocking New Horizons in Material Research and Quality
The adoption of an advanced materials information solution marked a key moment for Piaggio. For CAE analysts, access to detailed mechanical and durability properties improved simulation accuracy, reducing material failure risks and increasing product reliability.
The Material Laboratory team also benefited, using the precise data to streamline validation processes and boost operational efficiency. Additionally, the Design Department gained enhanced insights into materials through advanced comparison tools, aiding in informed decision-making, particularly when assessing materials from different vendors.
The solution's quick search and refined filtering capabilities further streamlined the material selection process, allowing Piaggio to efficiently access essential information within specific industry standards or material attributes.
Reengineering Piaggio’s Material Strategy
Piaggio has integrated a significant change in its material management and research strategy, which has become instrumental, especially with the expansion of its product range. Through systematic organization and material identification and comparison capabilities, operations from CAE simulations to material validation and component design have been streamlined. This has not only unified material selection decisions across various vehicles but also fostered innovation while keeping material costs in check.
