Limeira, BRAZIL, November 25, 2021 – Maxion Wheels, the world’s largest wheel manufacturer, announced it is creating a virtual replica of its light vehicle aluminum wheel production process in Limeira, Brazil, using Digital Twin technology. With the twin digital model, the Company can anticipate how its physical assets are performing under certain conditions ensuring Maxion is achieving the highest levels of efficiency and efficacy from its operations.

“Digitalization of our business has been underway for several years,” said Zeferino Neto, President of the Americas Business Unit, Maxion Wheels. “With Digital Twin technology we are collecting and visualizing our aluminum wheel product design, process simulation, and Artificial Intelligence data all in one place, creating virtual operating models and calculations that enable smarter decisions thereby increasing the effectiveness of our manufacturing assets.”

Director of Advanced Engineering for Maxion, Carlos Lopes added, “Maxion Wheels produces light vehicle aluminum wheels on five continents. This Digital Twin, Brazil-born project will be exported to our aluminum plants around the world as powerful digital ammunition to further enhance our global effectiveness.”

The R$3 million ($500K USD), 30-month project has the financial support of Finep, the Brazil Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Brazil Ministry of Economy, with funds provided by the Rota 2030 Program and matched by Iochpe-Maxion.