Ford Motor Company has developed and put into operation original computer programs and numerical control systems for computing the non-analytical automotive body surfaces, and numerically machining such surfaces on dies and other body tooling.
Thousands of templates, hundreds of wood models and many lines of dies have been surfaced through the new systems. Quality, accuracy and symmetry of numerical surfaces are superior to those produced conventionally.
In combination with computer-aided design developments, N/C systems will be employed to perform or assist in a number of operations now performed conventionally in styling, product engineering, manufacturing engineering and tooling, to improve tooling accuracy and product quality, and to minimize lead-time from clay models to production of new cars.