CAD Engineering & Bracket Design
Designed vehicle-specific mounting bracket families (B185/B186/B187/B183) accommodating varying tub geometries, angled surfaces, and infrastructure avoidance requirements.
Vehicle Platform Engineering for Award-Winning KUFU Drawer System
Afterconcept's core mandate was vehicle-specific platform engineering: adapting Umhauer's award-winning KUFU Drawer System to new vehicle models entering the Australian market. The goal was to expand platform compatibility while maintaining the product's regulatory compliance and modular design philosophy. Our technical expertise and remote collaboration capability enabled rapid market expansion across four projects in six months.
Client
UMHAUER PRODUCTS
Automotive Aftermarket
2025
Umhauer Products Australia is a family-owned overlanding equipment manufacturer established in 1928. Their flagship KUFU Drawer System combines patented Catch-and-Click™ technology with ADR-compliant engineering, serving recreation, trades, defense, medical, and fleet industries across Australia, USA, Europe, Baltic States, and Scandinavia. Winner of the Australian Good Design Award 2023, the KUFU system features modular stackable drawers, 1-tonne load rating, and tool-free installation across SUVs, utility trucks, vessels, and aircraft.
Development Challenges
Expanding compatibility to emerging models for BYD Shark 6, Kia Tasman.
Designing cargo solutions compatible with existing KUFU modular architecture.
Maintaining Australian Design Rules compliance across varying vehicle tub geometries and mounting configurations.
Creating installation manuals and production documentation enabling consistent dealer network assembly quality.
How Afterconcept shaped the product
Mounting System Optimization
Optimized hole count and bolt specifications while maintaining ADR load requirements, creating color-coded installation diagrams for dealer assembly.
Installation Documentation
Developed comprehensive manuals with exploded view diagrams, measurement datum systems, and torque specifications supporting dealer network deployment.
DFM & Manufacturing Integration
Provided production-ready CAD assemblies, and production files enabling immediate manufacturing partner implementation.
Trusted, outcome-driven, and easy to work with. They understood the brief, aligned with our customer focus, and delivered a strong framework on time with great communication throughout.
Kris Umhauer
Managing Director, Umhauer Products Australia
Solution
Engineering to deliver seamless functionality
Conceptualization
Engineering Approach
Umhauer needed rapid platform expansion to capture emerging vehicle market opportunities for BYD Shark 6 PHEV, Kia Tasman. Our engagement focused on establishing vehicle-specific engineering systems that could be replicated across future models while maintaining the KUFU system's regulatory compliance and modular design philosophy.
Initial work began with vehicle scan data analysis, identifying tub geometry challenges, angled mounting surfaces, electrical infrastructure locations, and drawer clearance requirements. This foundation enabled bracket design, mounting optimization, and documentation development following established patterns that accelerated subsequent vehicle adaptations.
BYD Shark 6 scan data to CAD assembly
Platform Engineering Process
Bracket Design &
System Integration
Platform engineering required designing mounting bracket families accommodating vehicle-specific tub geometries while maintaining the universal Type MC 1400mm platform architecture. Each vehicle presented its own set of challenges. The BYD Shark 6 required careful consideration of battery infrastructure and specific electrical routing clearance for its first electric/PHEV utility truck adaptation. Meanwhile, the Kia Tasman benefited from optimized tub geometry, building on insights from BYD to reduce iteration cycles and enhance fastener positioning efficiency. Additionally, the B185 (LHS), B186 (RHS), B187 (Wide), and B183 (Center) bracket family facilitated longitudinal rail positioning on angled surfaces by utilizing engineered packing disc, ensuring consistent load distribution across varying gap tolerances.
Bracket Design & System Integration
BYD Shark 6
Kia Tasman
Mounting System
Fastener optimization balanced ADR load requirements against minimizing vehicle penetrations. M10 bolt family specification enabled flexible positioning while limiting fastener SKU count for dealer inventory management. Positioning analysis using vehicle scan data prevented interference with electrical systems, battery placement, and underbody support channels. Hole count reduced from 32 to 22 mounting penetrations while maintaining 1-tonne load rating
Specifications for M10 bolt lengths and the placement of packing discs
Wing Kit
For vehicle-specific wing kits, laser-cut panels are essential to ensure compatibility with KUFU 280mm drawer systems. The Hexa Ply Birch, features an anti-slip black finish. The profile is designed for optimal left and right tub symmetry, and the mounting system integrates seamlessly with a universal wing bracket, eliminating the need for panel holes and utilizing a rear self-tapper attachment.
Accessory Development
Cargo Mat
We developed a laser-cuttable cargo mat (1400mm x 1020mm) for twin KUFU Econo drawer configurations. The raised grid pattern provided anti-slip performance while optimizing material utilization for laser cutting efficiency. Mounting holes aligned with existing drawer top thread points, maintaining modular system compatibility. DXF files enabled direct manufacturing implementation.
Adjustable Cargo Cage Design
The cargo cage design involved creating a height-adjustable system compatible with the existing HD cargo slide, ensuring the minimum height matched the 460mm drawer for a level surface. Constructed from 2mm thick 5052 H34 aluminium alloy for its strength and corrosion resistance, the system adjusts from 460mm to 625mm to meet various storage needs. It features a durable black powder coat finish for aesthetic consistency. The integration includes a mechanism for removing and replacing the slide rear brace, ensuring secure installation without compromising the cargo slide's integrity.
Versatile Cargo Cage Design
Cage height adjustment - 460mm minimum configuration
Cage height adjustment - 625mm maximum configuration
Instruction Manual Development
Clarity crafted through visual communication
Documentation engineering established measurement datum systems enabling accurate dealer installation without specialized jigs or fixtures.
Key Impacts
Platform Compatibility
KUFU system now compatible with 37 specific models
Repeatable Process
Established vehicle adaptation workflow enabling rapid response to emerging market opportunities
First PHEV Adaptation
BYD Shark 6 represents KUFU's entry into electric/PHEV utility truck segment
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