Lightweight Under-Body Shield

This extremely lightweight and durable underbody shield features advanced materials (carbon composites surrounding a honeycomb core) formed in an out-of-autoclave process on low-cost tooling (directly heated steel shell).  The part combines high performance with a lower project-life cost than the incumbent material plus a 74% weight saving.

OEM/Vehicle Ferrari SpA 2013 458 Speciale supercar System Supplier Gurit Automotive Ltd Material Processor Gurit Automotive Ltd

Material Supplier Gurit Automotive Ltd Resin SPRINT  ST 160  Epoxy Carbon Tooling/Equipment Supplier Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc.

For More Information See: http://www.plastics-car.com/autobody

Film for Vacuum Folded Airbag Application

To meet styling trends for smaller airbag cushion package space without loss of functionality, a packaging process common in the food and pharmaceutical industries – vacuum-sealed films – has been applied to automotive safety restraints for the first time.  New tool design and manufacturing equipment were required to produce the co-extruded, laminated vacuum-sealed pouches in order to meet airbag performance requirements and environmental durability for the life of the vehicle.  Additionally airbag module mass was reduced by 15-30% and package size was greatly reduced.

OEM/Vehicle Ferrari 2010 458 Italia System Supplier Takata Corp. Material Processor Takata Corp.

Material Supplier Bemis / Schreiner Resin ICE-F H 225 Co-extruded laminated film Tooling/Equipment Supplier Takata Corp.

For More Information See: http://www.plastics-car.com/Todays-Automobiles/Automotive-Safety?css=print