Load Management Striker Cap

When styling opted to add larger wheels/tires well into program development, this small thermoplastic urethane (TPU) load-management striker cap was designed to increase energy absorption by 74% and reduce loads on shock towers by 14%, improving vehicle ride without the need to add extra structure to the body/chassis. Versus standard nylon striker caps with metal ring alone, the 43-g high-elongation TPU part has a “springboard” effect designed in so it improves vertical impact management, leading to lower trim capability, better structural survivability, better energy management (via ride and handling), and enabling additional content (new wheels/tires) without adding significant cost or mass.

OEM/Vehicle 2009MY General Motors Co.: Cadillac®  CTS V-Series Luxury Sedan System Supplier Delphi Corp. Material Processor Ammex Plastics

Material Supplier BASF Resin Elastollan® 1164 TPU Tooling/Equipment Supplier Ammex Plastics

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

In-Mold Coating Slush Process

This is the first in-mold-coating (IMC) - Slush process to produce instrument-panel skins. The process allows surface properties of a slush-molded skin to be decoupled from the substrate properties. By optimizing the surface and the substrate independently, conflicting customer requirements can be met. Cost savings of 30% were realized through the use of a lower cost aromatic TPU grade.

OEM/Vehicle 2006 MY BMW E63 M-Version System Supplier Intier Automotive Eybl Interiors GmbH Material Processor Intier Automotive Eybl Interiors GmbH

Material Supplier Bayer Material Science Resin Desmopan® 3790 AP TPU Tooling/Equipment Supplier Galvanoform

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