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BIW (Body in White) is the stage in vehicle manufacture where the structural panels are welded or joined together, before paint and trim are added. Tooling design for BIW covers the fixtures, clamps, locate pins, and handling equipment that hold each component in the correct position during joining. The dimensional accuracy of the finished body structure depends heavily on how well the tooling is designed: it has to account for panel variation, robot reach, build sequence, and the overall line flow.

Simultaneous engineering, often abbreviated SE, is the practice of developing the manufacturing process at the same time as the product is being designed, rather than waiting for a released design before production planning begins. In BIW programmes this means getting involved early: assessing tooling feasibility, identifying joining or fixturing issues before tooling is committed, and helping shape the assembly process from the outset. Problems resolved at SE stage cost a fraction of what they would to fix after tooling has been ordered and built.

Both. Some of our work is directly for OEMs on their in-house body assembly programmes. We also support Tier 1 automation and tooling businesses that need additional engineering resource for specific programmes, whether to supplement their own team or to deliver a defined package of work. The engagement model adapts to what the client actually needs.

We can do both. A number of clients bring us in for a specific piece of work: a robot simulation study, a process review, or a tooling concept for a difficult station, while others ask us to lead engineering delivery across the full programme. We scope each engagement around what will genuinely help the project, rather than offering a fixed service package.

We primarily use Robcad, which remains the dominant simulation platform across most OEM BIW programmes. For tooling design we work in CATIA V5 and AutoCAD-based workflows. Where a client has a preferred platform or an established simulation environment, we work within it. Familiarity with OEM-specific procedures, naming conventions, and deliverable formats is part of what we bring to each project.

We have particular experience in low to medium volume programmes, especially lightweight vehicle structures for electric vehicles, where the engineering challenges differ from conventional high-volume steel body production. That said, our team has worked across a wide range of BIW programmes, from individual stations through to complex multi-model body lines, so the experience base is broad.

Yes. Alongside our BIW and vehicle assembly work, Core Automation provides engineering design for bespoke automation machines, systems and tooling for clients across advanced manufacturing. This covers concept and detailed design, using CATIA V5 and AutoCAD-based workflows, and can include simulation and process support where the project requires it.