| Summary: |
Use of In-Mold-Assembly to produce closed plastic metal
frame that provides excellent stiffness / weight ratio for front end
structural carrier. Weight savings 40%. Cost savings 30%. |
| Most Innovative Feature: |
First time In-Mold-Assembly used to create closed plastic
metal frame resulting in best stiffness / weight ratio for any front end
structural carrier in the world. |
| Other Innovative Features: |
Eighteen threaded fasteners included in the molded part to
minimize secondary operations and to maximize part integration. |
| What Forming Process? |
Injection Molding. |
| First Time Process Used: |
No. |
| Previous Process: |
Combination of thin steel reinforced with glass filled PA. |
| Tooling Innovations: |
None. |
| New Material Developments: |
None. |
| Weight Savings: |
40% |
| Cost Savings: |
30% |
| Cost Avoidance: |
$3.00 |
| Direct Consumer Benefit: |
Lower sprung mass and better stiffness improves NVH
performance. |
| Translates to Other Vehicles?: |
Yes. |
| Safety Benefits: |
None. |
| Environmental Benefits: |
100% recyclable. |
| Additional Comments: |
None. |
