Optimization of the Hood Ro-dip CED Process Through Strategic Support Rod Placement at Multiple Locations for Enhanced Hood Gap and Flushness Control in Automotive Manufacturing

The Ro-dip Cathodic Electrodeposition (CED) process is new technology used by automotive manufacturers for higher quality corrosion protection in new generation automobiles. This process involves multiple 360-degree rotation of automotive body-in-white (BIW) which exert higher hydrostatic pressure and drag forces on large surface panels of BIW like hood.

For maintaining consistent gaps and flushness control at vehicle level, it is important to safeguard the dimensional stability of light weight (crash performance sensitive) steel hood panel while undergoing through this CED process. This study investigates the enhancement of hood structure supports through strategic optimization of support rod placement and quantity within the Ro-dip CED paint shop system.

This Paper underscore the importance of tailored fixture design in the Ro-dip CED process, offering a scalable solution for automotive manufacturers aiming to improve quality while reducing costs associated with dimensional inaccuracies, overall weight reduction and crash worthiness of vehicle.