Body Interior  Nominee  LDM Technologies

Description   Interior Safety Controlled Energy Management
OEM, Model, Model Year   Ford, Focus, 2001
System Supplier, Contact, Phone   LDM Technologies, Michael Pickholz, (248)836-4133
Molder/Processor, Contact and Phone   LDM Technologies, Michael Pickholz, (248)836-4133
Toolmaker, Contact and Phone   HS Die & Engineering, Inc., Jim Hickson, (616)453-5451
Material Supplier, Contact and Phone   Basell Polyolefins, Scott Hedderick, (330)650-3630
Generic resin type   PP
Resin Trade Name   Astryn
OEM Engineer, Title and Phone   Steven Miles, Project Engineer, (313)594-0638
Nominated by, Company   Michael Pickholz, LDM Technologies, Inc.
Address   2500 Executive Hills Dr., Oxford, MI
Phone   (248)836-4133
Fax   (248)858-2813
Email   mpickholz@ldmtech.com
Summary CEM-i represents the most effective technology for the protection of vehicle occupants available on the market. CEM-i employs "column buckling" principles to insure performance under all conditions and circumstances. Weight Savings: N/A Cost Savings: Simplified assembly. Cost Avoidance: Can reduce product develop costs.
Most Innovative Feature CEM-i, as it is internally referred, represents the most effective technology for the protection of vehicle occupants available on the market. This fact has been borne out by competitive testing performed by Ford in which CEM-i outperformed 15 other entries.
Other Innovative Features Contrary to the typical "fracture mechanics" approach to occupant protection, CEM-i employs better energy management using "column buckling" principles to insure performance under all conditions and circumstances.
Forming Process Injection molded
First time process used? No
Previous Process Used Typical countermeasures include "molded-in" rib packs and/or ancillary rib cartridges, vacuum-formed product and even metallic devices.
Tooling Innovations Tooling for CEM-i is inherently more sophisticated than other approaches, but still uses standard injection molding process.
New Material Developments A broad range of material has been tested and qualified. Specific PET and HDPE grades provide the best results while PP still allows for full compliance with the OEM standards.
Weight Savings N/A
Direct Cost Savings Simplified assembly
Indirect Cost Savings Reduced product development time
Direct Consumer Benefit Yes, indeed. This application results in a significant enhancement in occupant protection in the event of an accident. This has been borne out through exhaustive OEM testing.
Translates to other Vehicles? Yes
Safety Benefits CEM-i is, first and foremost, a proven means to effectively protect vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle accident involving contact with the vehicle's interior trim.
Environmental Benefits This technology is designed around fully recyclable materials.
Additional Info CEM-i represents a tangible improvement in vehicle occupant protection which achieves best in class result in "all" cases, not just a few selected points, and delivers unrivaled performance, safety, freedom of design and environmental compliance.
Body Interior  SPE 2001 Home   Back to Nominee Page