Page 50 - ETP-April-May2020

AUTOMOTIVE

brid molding in short cycle times
suitable for large-scale production. “THIS TAILOR-MADE FIBER-LAYER STRUCTURE AND
The method integrates draping of THE COMBINATION OF ORGANIC SHEETS AND TAPES
the Tepex insert and the tapes in the HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE TO REDUCE BRAKE PEDAL
subsequent injection molding pro- WEIGHT EVEN FURTHER WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
cess. The first stage of production ACHIEVING THE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LEVEL OF
involves aligning the tapes precisely MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT SUCH A
using optical measuring systems and
then positioning them on the Tepex SAFETY-CRITICAL COMPONENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE.”
insert so that they can be welded to Dr. Daniel Häffelin from the Innovation Center at Boge Elastmetall.
it. This assembly is thermoformed
and then back-molded with poly- clude front-end systems and bumper much lighter than such alternatives,
amide 66 by an injection molding beams, brackets for electrical and but the hybrid molding method
process. electronic modules, trunks and spare used means that they also enable
wheel wells, battery housings and functions such as guides, holders and
High-strength structural covers, structural components in the fasteners to be integrated in a way
components for electric vehicle’s ‘greenhouse’ section and that saves weight, energy and costs.
vehicles structural trims in the underbody With components of this type, there
New opportunities are opening up area to protect the battery.” is no need for time-consuming fur-
in the field of electric vehicles for The low carbon footprint rela- ther processing such as deburring or
thermoplastic composite structures tive to metal-based structures is an- post-process tapping, as this is typi-
with tailored fiber orientation. Ac- other point in favor of the composite cal for metal parts.
cording to Vonberg, “Examples of design with Tepex and tapes. Ther-
applications for Tepex inserts in- moplastic composites are not only Source: Lanxess

AUTOMOTIVE
Encouraging Innovation

A global tier one supplier has recently launched an Advanced Open Innovation
& Ecosystem Acceleration Program.

s a strategic response to the rapid transformation hap- tive and breakthrough ideas.
Apening in the Automotive industry and to maintain With the online challenge coinciding with the pan-
competitive edge, Faurecia - India recently launched a demic spread and subsequent unprecedented lockdown in
comprehensive framework spanning Strategy, Ideation the country, it’s been about new learnings and improvisa-
The Economic Times POLYMERS | April-May 2020
and imbibing Innovation Culture. This strategic Initiative tion in reaching and engaging students as well as Faure-
is more important than ever while the industry is facing cians, for their participation.
an existential crisis because of Covid-19 pandemic. This Thanks to technology, the company is actively connect-
initiative is aptly named as NOVUS X.0 – An Advanced ing with the students and Faurecia professionals (including
Open Innovation & Ecosystem Acceleration Program. manufacturing personnel) across the country through webi-
As part of the Phase 1 of this initiative, Faurecia intends nars, social media, e-coffee meets, to introduce, explain and
to leverage the vast pool of students across finest Engineer- re-energize the community to unleash their creativity to best
ing / Technology Institutes and Universities across India utilize the time and contribute towards the future of mobil-
and APAC. Faurecia has extended this opportunity to stu- ity to make it more futuristic, safe, affordable & sustainable.
dent community via an online Open Innovation challenge Students and Faurecians can participate by submit-
– Producathon, launched on 18th February 2020 and is ting their ideas, related to the problem statements defined
currently ongoing. It is also open for Faurecia’s internal in nine domains, aligned with the megatrends disrupting
employees parallelly across sites in India and APAC. the Automotive Industry, such as Safety, Personalization,
With Sustainable Mobility & Cockpit of the Future at Comfort, Health & Wellness, Connectivity and so on.
the core of the company’s strategic transformation, NO- Faurecia is inviting all students to be part of NOVUS
VUS X.0 Producathon, is designed to invoke new, disrup- X.0 Producathon.

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