Browse Topic: Exterior trim and molding

Items (47)
Recent studies indicate that the door system plays a significant role in the interior noise levels of newly developed vehicles. This research investigates the noise transmission paths through the door system and identifies effective strategies for improvement through a combination of door buck testing and simulation. Specifically, in this study, the finite element method (FEM) was employed for door buck simulation, and the model was validated against vibration test results. Subsequently, acoustic analysis tools were utilized to correlate with noise testing, thereby establishing a process to ensure simulation accuracy. The sound insulation performance for the main areas of the door was experimentally evaluated, and a simulation model with good correlation to these test results was developed. By utilizing both experimental and simulation results, the principal transmission paths were identified, and appropriate improvement strategies for these paths were investigated. The validated improvement strategies are intended to be applied in the development of next-generation vehicles.
Chae, Ki-SangJang, JinungJeong, HojungDo, HyuncheolHan, JinwooYi, JaebokBak, Seong-JaeJeong, ChanHee
Vehicle sound packages are usually designed to provide a given level of vehicle Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) comfort, within weight and cost constraints. Optimal comfort results can be obtained by considering the interaction of all the parts as a full physical system. So far, extensive research has already been performed and published on optimizing vehicle sound packages to achieve effective noise reduction at lowest cost and weight. Nowadays, due to the urgency of the transition to carbon neutrality, sound packages must also address the reduction of the full vehicle life cycle carbon emissions. Sound package components should use materials that have a low emission impact during production and that are suitable for recycling at the end of the vehicle’s life. This entails reconsidering the material solutions chosen for the sound package as a whole, rather than for each individual component. This article describes possible differentiations in the design of a sound package involving NVH, sustainability, and weight/cost requirements. The study examines how interior and exterior trim components were combined to achieve both optimal NVH and polymer rationalization, through the introduction of mono-material parts and focusing in particular on the use of a new polyester fiber-based floor decoupler, which achieves comparable NVH performance to polyurethane foam without affecting static compression. The article summarizes the vehicle-level performance related to NVH, sustainability, and weight for three sound packages prioritizing either NVH, sustainability or material cost, including a breakdown to analyze the contributions of various components to the overall outcome. A simple metric is introduced to evaluate sustainability, including material, production, use-phase and end-of-life related Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions [7–10]. The NVH evaluation involves measuring airborne transfer functions (ATF), complemented by indoor road noise tests. NVH improvements were achieved without an increase in weight, and weight reduction was also possible without negatively impacting NVH performance, both results enhancing the carbon footprint.
Courtois, TheophaneCardillo, MarcoCriscione, MattiaGerges, YoussefMassocco, Andrea
A mobile wireless charger is a device that charge a smartphone or other compatible gadgets without the need for physical cables. Principle of wireless mobile charger system based on inductive coupling phenomena. The main objective of this paper aims to address the challenge of packaging wireless mobile charger in peculiar door trim profile keeping overall functionality and aesthetic appearance of door trim intact. This paper deals with integration of a wireless charging system within the door trim of a vehicle to provide convenience and advanced functionality. The objective is to pack a wireless charger in door trim meeting the ergonomic target and equilibrium state stability while maintaining sleek and minimalist design of the door trim. The study focuses on innovative packaging solutions related to space optimization in door despite multiple challenges involved. Major challenge lies in packing the unit amidst complex mechanisms such as window regulators, speakers, structural reinforcements while managing the thermal heat generation with proper dissipation techniques The main objective of this paper is to address the following: An innovative approach to the design of Wireless charger for Door trim Meeting stable equilibrium state. Focusing on enhancing aesthetics. Low weight impact, robust design, and assembly, Managing Wireless charger quality quality as per regular standard.
Palyal, NikitaD, GowthamBhaskararao, PathivadaKumarasamy, Raj GaneshBornare, Harshad
The automotive industry is advancing rapidly with the integration of cutting-edge technology, aesthetics, and performance. One area that has remained relatively underexplored in the pursuit of sleek, minimalistic interiors is the packaging of Sunshade in door trim system. Traditional sunshade design, often bulky and increasingly incompatible with the trend towards compact design and packaging. The car sunshade is a shield that is placed on a car side window and used for regulating the amount of light entering from the car window and helps improve the passenger comfort inside the cabin. Car Interior components, specifically plastic and seats are based on thermal stress properties. When we expose these parts to direct contact with sunlight, humidity and ambient temperature above threshold limit, the interior plastic parts can start to soften and melt. Due to this, they start emitting harmful chemicals which cause anemia and poor immune systems. So, the Sunshade, in addition to protecting passengers’ comfort inside car, it also protects passenger from harmful radiation and enhances overall visual appeal of the vehicle. The main objective of this paper is to address the following: An innovative approach to the design of sunshade for Door trim Meeting shoulder room target Focusing on enhancing aesthetics, Low weight impact, robust design, and assembly, Managing sunshade quality as per regular standard.
Palyal, NikitaD, GowthamBhaskararao, PathivadaBornare, HarshadRitesh, Kakade
Side crashes are generally hazardous because there is no room for large deformation to protect an occupant from the crash forces. A crucial point in side impacts is the rapid intrusion of the side structure into the passenger compartment which need sufficient space between occupants and door trim to enable a proper unfolding of the side airbag. This problem can be alleviated by using the rising air pressure inside the door as an additional input for crash sensing. With improvements in the crash sensor technology, pressure sensors that detect pressure changes in door cavities have been developed recently for vehicle crash safety applications. The crash pulses recorded by the acceleration based crash sensors usually exhibit high frequency and noisy responses. The data obtained from the pressure sensors exhibit lower frequency and less noisy responses. Due to its ability to discriminate crash severities and allow the restraint devices to deploy earlier, the pressure sensor technology has gained its popularity for side crash applications. CAE based calibration approach reduces cost of multiple physical tests required for side airbag algorithm development to deploy the airbags. With a goal to achieve CAE based calibration such that side airbag deployment algorithms can be enhanced with the help of pressure sensors, Corpuscular Particle Method (CPM) was adopted to predict the pressure responses of side crash pressure sensors. The major challenge was to capture the change in pressure accurately in side door cavity during an event of side crashes in digital environment. In addition, the challenge was to develop robust CAE methodology that can predict sensible pressure responses during event of high speed as well as low speed side crashes. This paper describes the innovative CPM airbag based methodology developed to predict the pressure response and its correlation with side impact physical tests.
Bhagat, MilindNarale, NaganathMahajan, AshutoshWayal, VirendraJadhav, Swapnil
The pre-validation process for door trim noise has gained increasing importance as noise standards have become more stringent with the transition to electric vehicles. Currently, the validation process employs squeak and rattle director simulations to evaluate noise based on relative displacement values. However, this approach is time-intensive. To address this limitation, we have improved process efficiency by developing a database of relative displacement values derived from the cross-sectional and structural characteristics of matching parts. This advancement enables noise pre-validation using only cross-sectional and structural information.
Cho, WonhyungNa, HyunghyunKim, DonghyeonKim, JongSooShin, Dongwan
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), a form of Additive Manufacturing (AM), has emerged as a groundbreaking technology for the production of complex shapes from a variety of materials. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is an opaque thermoplastic that is frequently employed in additive manufacturing (AM) due to its affordability and user-friendliness. The purpose of this investigation is to enhance the FDM parameters for ABS material and develop predictive models that anticipate printing performance by employing the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Through experimental trials, an investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of critical FDM parameters, including layer thickness, infill density, printing speed, and nozzle temperature, on critical outcomes, including mechanical properties, surface polish, and dimensional accuracy. The utilization of design of experiments (DOE) methodology facilitated a systematic examination of parameters. A predictive model was developed to forecast printing performance by utilizing input parameters and ANFIS. The ANFIS predictive models' ability to accurately predict the printing performance of ABS material was demonstrated by the results. Moreover, the models provide vital insights into the most effective parameter configurations for ensuring high-quality parts and maximizing printing efficiency. This investigation improves the understanding of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material and offers a practical instrument for manufacturing process optimization. By employing ANFIS predictive models, manufacturers can enhance the quality and productivity of printing. This will facilitate the expansion of the application of FDM technology in various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and prototyping.
Natarajan, ManikandanPasupuleti, ThejasreeKumar, VKiruthika, JothiKatta, Lakshmi NarasimhamuSilambarasan, R
When Ford first reintroduced the Ranger to North America in 2019, it was welcomed largely because of its revered nameplate. But outside of a lauded 2.3-L 4-cylinder turbo engine and an impressive array of options, there wasn't much to write home about. And critics downgraded the lineup for a spartan interior and having a ride that bounced passengers around. Ford says it built the 2024 Ranger lineup with that feedback in mind. And, for the enthusiast crowd, the yearned-for Ranger Raptor makes its loud debut with a 405-hp engine.
Clonts, Chris
Automotive parts can be fabricated from either coiled sheet, flat sheet or extruded shapes. Alloy selection is governed by finish requirements, forming characteristics, and mechanical properties. Bright anodizing alloys 5657 and 52521 sheet provide a high luster and are preferred for trim which can be formed from an intermediate temper, such as H25. Bright anodizing alloy 5457 is used for parts which require high elongation and a fully annealed ("0") temper. Alloy 6463 is a medium strength bright anodizing extrusion alloy; Alloy X7016 is a high strength bright anodizing extrusion alloy primarily suited for bumper applications. To satisfy anti-glare requirements for certain trim applications, sheet alloy 5205 and extrusion alloy 6063 are capable of providing the desired low-gloss anodized finish. Bright anodizing alloys require control of the chemical composition of the alloy to enhance response to chemical brightening and to result in the formation of anodic coatings that are essentially transparent. Additionally, aluminum producers employ fabricating practices to minimize other metallurgical factors that adversely affect response to bright anodizing procedures. For non-heat-treatable alloys, a highly fragmented grain structure is preferred. Fully annealed, recrystallized grain structures are not optimum for bright anodizing. Where high elongations are required with intermediate tempers, fabricating practices are selected to minimize grain recrystallization. Another factor to be considered for trim application is the type of mill surface finish that is required. When the metal working treatments do not mar the mill produced surface appreciably, the smooth, bright rolled, "automotive trim" surface is desirable since it often eliminates the need for expensive mechanical buffing operations. Where trim fabricating procedures might be expected to damage a bright-rolled surface, duller mill finishes can be used and parts are buffed after forming. Bright rolled mill surfaces occasionally are protected with a removable tape or water soluble film. Selection of anodic coating required to protect aluminum parts is influenced by the required corrosion performance and appearance characteristics. Generally, anodic coatings 0.0003–0.0005 in (0.0076–0.0127 mm) thick are used for exterior trim application. Thinner anodic coatings 0.0001–0.0003 in (0.0025–0.0076 mm) are sufficient for interior trim components. Anodic coatings can be dyed to impart color, painted, or inlaid with vinyl or other plastics for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. The Aluminum Association's "Designation System for Finishes" is a recommended guide to assist in specifying anodic coatings for automotive trim. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) offers several test methods which are commonly used as the basis for many user specifications. These are: ASTM B110—Dielectric Strength of Anodically coated Aluminum ASTM B457—Measuring Impedance of Anodic Coatings of Aluminum ASTM B244—Measuring Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum with Eddy Current Instruments ASTM B136—Resistance of Anodically Coated Aluminum to Staining by Dyes ASTM B137—Weight of Coating on Anodically Coated Aluminum ASTM B368—Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test) ASTM B538—Fact (Ford Anodized Aluminum Corrosion Test) Testing ASTM B580—Guide to the Specification of Anodic Oxide Coatings on Aluminum ASTM 429—Measurement and Calculation of Reflecting Characteristics of Metallic Surfaces Using Integrating Sphere Instruments ASTM E430—Measurement of Gloss of High Gloss Metal Surfaces Using Abridged Goniophotometer or Goniophotometer
Metals Technical Committee
Automotive industry is looking for high strength and durable lightweight material with resistance to wear and friction. To meet this requirement, a new hybrid polymer composite material has been developed using reinforcement as SS 304 wire mesh and jute fibre. Present paper explores the experimental findings of wear performance of hybrid polymer composite under dry condition. Four different laminates with configurations JJSJJSJJ, (JJSJJSJJ)450, GGSGGSGG and GJSJJSJG along with their virgin counterpart were developed by hand layup technique supported by compression moulding. These laminates were tested as per the ASTM standards to investigate its performance for friction and wear using pin on disc machine with steel as a counterpart. Testing parameters were sliding distance, applied load and sliding speed. Experimental results showed that, applied load have major influence on the friction and wear performance of developed hybrid composites. As load rises, friction force value increases with increased specific wear rate for entire composites. With hybridization of composite laminates, the frication and wear performance has improved as their virgin counterpart. The study demonstrates that wire mesh added to hybrid polymer composites during manufacturing increases the composite's wear resistance. This developed hybrid composite material has great potential to replace metal or alloy in automobile door trim panels where friction and wear are dominates.
Salve, Aniket VinayakMache, Ashok
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to parts and materials used in vehicle manufacture which are intended to be acceptable color matches to a specified standard. This document is intended for use with parts or materials which are opaque or nearly so. Materials covered by this document include topcoat paint finishes, interior soft trim, interior and exterior hard trim, and exterior film and flexible trim. This practice requires judgments by observers with a minimum of normal color vision and preferably superior as rated with the FM-100 hue test as specified in ASTM E1499.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
This SAE Standard provides test methods for determining the critical characteristics of basic or finished fiberboard products. Where applicable, methods of test developed by SAE and ASTM have been referenced.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
The Range Rover Evoque is a compact luxury SUV, first introduced by Land Rover in 2012. Almost 800,000 units of the first-generation vehicle were sold. This paper explores some of the challenges entailed in developing the next generation of this successful product, maintaining key design cues while at the same time improving its aerodynamic efficiency. A development approach is outlined that made use of both numerical simulation and full-scale moving ground wind tunnel testing. A drag coefficient of 0.32 was obtained for the best derivative by paying particular attention to: the integration of active grille shutters; the front bumper and tyre package; brake cooling; underfloor design; wake control strategy; and detail optimization. This approach delivered the most aerodynamic Range Rover at the time of its introduction. The impact of these design changes on the aerodynamic flow field and consequently drag is highlighted. An interaction between front wheel deflectors and different tyres of the same nominal dimensions is explored over a range of small yaw angles, illustrating the need to develop vehicles using a range of boundary conditions. In addition, a relationship is shown between wake state defined in terms of the vertical pressure gradient and reduced aerodynamic drag. Finally, changes in regulations governing the assessment of emissions and fuel economy are driving a need for vehicle manufacturers to go beyond the traditional focus on the drag of the best vehicle derivative and manage the spread of values arising from customers’ choice of powertrain, wheel and tyre fitment along with exterior trim options. For this vehicle, we highlight that the average drag coefficient for sales in the European market over a year was 15% lower than the outgoing car, showing that improved aerodynamic efficiency has actually been delivered to customers.
de Boer, MarcGaylard, Adrian P.Parmar, Bhavik
Light weighting is an effective strategy in increasing energy efficiency in the automotive industry. In this paper, mass reduction with cost benefit was targeted in an exterior trim panel. Polypropylene copolymer (PPCP) compound was developed for a large exterior trim panel (1400 X 700mm) having an integrated grill mesh. The part had challenging requirements in terms of slow speed impact, structural durability, dimensional stability, aesthetics, thermal ageing resistance, cold impact resistance, scratch resistance and weathering resistance. By having ultra-high flow behavior, optimum tensile strength, modulus, impact strength and thermal properties, the PPCP compound met the requirements for a thin wall exterior trim panel with a thickness of 2.6mm. Structural durability of the design was validated by virtual engineering. Part design and material combinations with better tooling design iterations were analyzed by using mold flow analysis. Complete product performances were being validated for predefined key test metrics such as structural durability, thermal aging, cold impact, scratch resistance and weathering criteria. This part met the required specification. The combination of material, optimized part and tool design led to weight savings, good surface quality, dimensional stability under sun load, grill integration and considerable cost reduction.
Govindaraj, KarthikVimalathithan, MurukesanYanamandra, BharadwajaD., Venkatesan
Light weighting is important to improve energy efficiency in the automotive industry. In this paper, high performance unfilled polypropylene copolymer (PPCP) material was selected and developed to reduce weight and cost without compromising on functional requirements for interior trims such as door trims, lower pillar trims, scuff trims and rear quarter trims (RQT). Interior trims are loaded with challenging requirements such as stiffness, dimensional stability, haptic feel, scratch resistance, cleanability, thermal stability, toughness, low emission and weathering resistance. Reactor polymerized PPCP material compound met these requirements by having ultra-flow behavior, optimum tensile strength, balanced modulus - impact strength, scratch resistant, low emission and improved thermal properties. This is a ready to mold material used in injection molding process. This unfilled polypropylene copolymer material has been explored for thin wall interior trims with thickness of 2.5mm. These trims have critical functional requirements such as load versus deflection criteria, push effort to fit the fastener, snap effort with respect to interface bezels and addons, doghouse stiffness, door pull durability, gap and flushes aspects. Structural durability of the design was validated by virtual engineering. Part design and material combinations with better tooling design iterations were analyzed by using mold flow analysis. Complete product performances were being validated for predefined key test metrics such as structural durability, thermal aging, cold impact, scratch resistance and weathering criteria. This part met required specification. The combination of material, optimized part and tool design led to weight savings, good surface quality, dimensional stability under sun load, haptics improvement and considerable cost reduction.
Govindaraj, KarthikDeoli, ManishGregory, Koch
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to parts and materials used in vehicle manufacture which are intended to be acceptable color matches to a specified standard. This document is intended for use with parts or materials which are opaque or nearly so. Materials covered by this document include topcoat paint finishes, interior soft trim, interior and exterior hard trim, and exterior film and flexible trim. This practice requires judgments by observers with a minimum of normal color vision and preferably superior as rated with the FM-100 Hue Test as specified in ASTM E1499, Guide for Selection, Evaluation, and Training of Observers.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
Squeak and rattle concerns accounts for approximately 10% of overall vehicle Things Gone Wrong (TGW) and are major quality concern for automotive OEM’s. Objectionable door noises such as squeak and rattle are among the top 10 IQS concerns under any OEM nameplate. Customers perceive Squeak and rattle noises inside a cabin as a major negative indicator of vehicle build quality and durability. Door squeak and rattle issues not only affects customer satisfaction index, but also increase warranty cost to OEM significantly. Especially, issues related to door, irritate customers due to material incompatibilities. Squeaks are friction-induced noises generated by stick-slip phenomenon between interfacing surfaces. Several factors, such as material property, friction coefficient, relative velocity, temperature, and humidity, are involved in squeak noise causes. For example, door armrest leather is exposed longer to sunlight and when customer places his hand on the armrest, an annoying squeak noise is generated due to permanent or temporary weathering effect. In this study, an experimental work is conducted to investigate squeak performance of door trim materials against weather ageing effect. As per the standard SAE-J2412, one thousand five hundred hours of polymer weathering test which is considered equivalent to 5 years of product life were performed to door trim material samples. Material compatibility test were performed on door trim samples at different time intervals of 0, 250, 500,750, 1000& 1500 hrs to evaluate its squeak risk behavior. On basis of RPN results, it was found that some material combination failed at 500 and 750 hrs highlighting squeak risk due to weathering effect. This paper introduces a new DVP, where a process can be established for material selection and avoid customer irritants and improve the perceived quality not only for a new vehicle but even after mileage degradation.
Lewis, EdlinKumar, AmitMohammed, RiyazuddinR, PrasathShukla, Sandeep
Squeak and rattle noise in a vehicle’s interior is perceived as an annoying sound by customers. Since persistent noise (e.g. engine, wind or drive train noise) has been reduced continuously during the last decades, the elimination of sounds, which have their origin in the vehicle’s interior components, is getting more important. Therefore, noise prediction based on simulation models is useful, since design changes can be realized at lower costs in early virtual development phases. For this task, linear simulation methods are state of the art for the identification of noise risk, but in general without knowing if a sound is audible or not. First approaches have been developed based on the Harmonic Balance Method to predict squeak noise and assess their audibility. This paper presents vibroacoustic measurements at a door trim panel for squeaking and non-squeaking configurations. Vibrations are excited harmonically by a force controlled low noise shaker. The system response is measured in a semi-anechoic chamber by acceleration sensors and audibility is assessed. Additionally, a 3D finite element model is built and the Harmonic Balance Method using a dry friction law is applied to predict the acoustic behavior. Finally, the simulation results are compared to the measurements. A good agreement between simulation and experiment can be observed.
Utzig, LukasFuchs, ArnoWeisheit, KonradMarburg, Steffen
In industries, the usage of natural fibre composites (NFC) becomes one of the inevitable materials in the engineering field. The applications are owing to its characteristics like high strength to weight ratio, recyclability less density and inexpensive. In recent days the automotive parts like door trim panels, wheel arch, rear hatch, roof liner and bonnet insulation were replaced using NFC. Present-day huge usage of NFC people is working on the recyclability of composites. The present research aimed to recycle the NFC waste as reinforcement in the sisal/epoxy composite. The effect of composite waste reinforcement at various weight percentages (0, 5, 10 and 15%) were studied. The sisal/epoxy composite subjected to mechanical characterisations and drilling performance were studied by varying the process parameters such as feed and spindle speed using design of experiment (DOE). The distribution of the reinforcement and the bonding between the fiber and matrix were examined through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The addition of composite waste (5%-300μ) improves the mechanical and machining properties of the composite.
singh C, Quberk jeevaGovindasamy, RajamuruganKrishnasamy, PrabuVardhan Reddy, Harsha
This SAE Recommended Practice is designed to provide readily accessible paint and trim code information on all passenger vehicles, lightweight trucks, and vans in a way that minimizes the time and effort required to locate and effectively use that information for body repair, parts ordering, vehicle maintenance, and information systems.
Motor Vehicle Council
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to parts and materials used in vehicle manufacture which are intended to be acceptable color matches to a specified standard. This document is intended for use with parts or materials which are opaque or nearly so. Materials covered by this document include topcoat paint finishes, interior soft trim, interior and exterior hard trim, and exterior film and flexible trim.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
A Value Analysis Tool for Automotive Interior Door Trim Panel Materials and Process Selection2007-01-04534/16/2007
This paper describes a computerized value analysis tool (VAT) developed to aid automotive interior designers, engineers and planners to achieve the high levels of perceived quality of materials used in automotive door trim panels. The model requires a number of inputs related to types of materials, their manufacturing processes and customer perceived quality ratings, costs and importance of materials, features located in different areas of the door trim panel, etc. It allows the user to conduct iterative evaluation of total cost, total weighted customer perceived quality ratings, and estimates of perceived value (perceived quality divided by cost) for different door trim areas as well as the entire door trim panel. The VAT, thus, allows value and cost management related to materials and processing choices for automotive interiors. The model computes two parallel estimates of perceived values-one from the material supplier's viewpoint and the other from the customer and OEM's viewpoint. From OEM's viewpoint, the model uses the actual consumer ratings of different door trim materials. And, from the supplier's viewpoint, the model uses ratings based on the supplier's internal experts that are familiar with the OEM's design needs (e.g. radii, fit tolerances), manufacturing process complexities, and costs. The tool is developed using Microsoft Excel and its unique features/advantages include: i) Interactive with graphical outputs, ii) Ability to quickly reconfigure virtual door trim models for evaluation of different combinations of technologies or material choices, iii) Drive for early technology decisions so early design clays can be optimized for particular choices, iv) Improved cost management process, v) Provide records for all completed virtual builds, and v) Involvement of OEMs in early planning and decision making. The paper also presents a comparative analysis of six different door trim panels from recent production vehicles and provides distributions of costs, perceived quality ratings, and overall values. The analysis, thus, supports the usefulness of the overall concept of the VAT to help achieve higher levels of perceived quality at a given/target cost.
Onkar, SonalHayes, MarcDalpizzol, JimDowd, JamesBhise, Vivek D.
This SAE Standard provides test methods for determining the critical characteristics of basic or finished fiberboard products. Where applicable, methods of test developed by SAE and ASTM have been referenced.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to parts and materials used in vehicle manufacture which are intended to be acceptable color matches to a specified standard. This document is intended for use with parts or materials which are opaque or nearly so. Materials covered by this document include topcoat paint finishes, interior soft trim, interior and exterior hard trim, and exterior film and flexible trim.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
The predominant choice for the armor of mass-produced cars and trucks, steel is not going unchallenged at a time when weight reduction is more important than ever. A time may come when something other than steel is the material of choice for body panels, but it will not be any time soon, in the view of U.S. Steel Corp.'s Jody Shaw, Technical Marketing Manager-Automotive. “I don't know what the driver of that would be,” Shaw said of steel being displaced. A fully developed infrastructure, a “huge knowledge base,” and superior pound-for-pound strength give steel an advantage that will not easily be overcome, he believes. Additionally, Shaw noted, steel has significant advantages in terms of the ease with which it can be processed. Aluminum, for example, “is more difficult to work with in a stamping environment and more difficult to weld and assemble.” But perhaps steel's biggest advantage is raw material costs.
Ponticel, Patrick
Integrated Design for Manufactura-bility in Convertible-Top Vehicle9807492/23/1998
Integrated Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) is in use at Chrysler as one of the major processes in automotive vehicle development. Manufacturability as inferred in integrated DFMA includes assembly and all other pertinent state-of-the art DFX's. It was initially applied successfully with considerable benefits in quality improvement and cost reduction for the development of the PL car program. The Electrical/ electronic systems as well as the Body and interior systems of the NS (Minivan) program were the next major vehicle systems that utilized the Chrysler DFMA in the development process. The benefits also included, overall cost reduction or avoidance, improved team dynamics, internal capabilities development including knowledge acquisition and learning. This paper describes how the unique Chrysler DFMA process was extended further for use in the development of the JX-Convertible. Six major areas or systems are considered in the DFMA optimization process follows: (1) convertible top system, (2) quarter window, (3) body system, (4) exterior molding (upper deck, quarter belt and body side, (5) fascia offline assembly, (6) exterior lighting and headlamp adaptor module. The paper summarizes the DFMA processes and the resulting optimized systems for all the various areas stated above. The results confirm the importance and significance of the expanded Chrysler DFMA process in the development of automotive systems.
Ardayfio, DavidDembsey, GordonKreucher, NickSchmitt, John
This SAE Recommended Practice applies to parts and materials used in vehicle manufacture which are intended to be acceptable color matches to a specified color standard. This document is intended for use with parts or materials which are opaque or nearly so. Materials covered by this document include topcoat paint finishes, interior soft trim, interior and exterior hard trim, and exterior film and flexible trim.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
A Modular Integrated Front End with a Structural RIM Beam/Support - A Case for the Directed Fiber Preform Process9106942/1/1991
A Modular Integrated Front End (MIFE) has been designed, prototyped and tested. The backbone of the MIFE is a structural RIM (SRIM) beam/support, which incorporates the bumper beam, the radiator support, headlamp cans, turn signal and side marker lamp supports and reinforcement brackets. With the SRIM process, it was possible to integrate these 20 plastic and stamped steel components into one part resulting in a weight savings of 13 Kg (28.5 lbs). The bumper beam is a closed section utilizing urethane foam cores. The MIFE also includes a full urethane fascia and a urethane foam energy absorber. The MIFE successfully passed 8 kph (5 mph) pendulum and barrier tests as well as the 4.8 kph (3 mph) pendulum corner test. The directed fiber preform process was judged to be the only practical method of making the very complex preform required for this design. IN THE late 1970's Davidson started looking at further integration, specifically bumper beams, to complement its urethane fascia and urethane foam energy absorber (Davisorbtm) product lines. None of the materials and processes then available fitted in with Davidson's RIM capabilities. In the mid 1980's SRIM was introduced. The SRIM process with it's inherent product versatility in terms of the availability of different types of resins, different types of fiber glass preforms and the ability to vary the levels of glass loading was ideal for the degree of integration considered necessary. A generic beam tool of a W-shaped configuration, which could be adapted for a closed section, was built to evaluate the available material systems and glass types. The data developed with this beam tool provided the confidence to proceed with a more complex beam/support structure. A generic concept was developed showing the degree of integration possible and the resultant cost and weight savings. This concept was presented to several OEM's and a prototype development program was initiated. This program was jointly funded by Davidson Exterior Trim Textron and the OEM. The three parts included in this MIFE program are shown in Figure 1. In the early stages of SRlM development, it was felt that SRIM might not be competitive for simpler bumper beams when evaluated against a stampable thermoplastic or SMC. Therefore, the decision was made to look at more complex geometries which would not be feasible with those processes and also offered more cost and weight savings through the greater degree of integration possible. However, with the introduction of lower cost resins, SRIM can be competitive with other materials in many different applications. This prototype program, as with many other plastic development programs, was made more difficult by the fact that we were demonstrating our MIFE development on a production vehicle and therefore were making a direct substitution of plastic for steel, rather than designing a brand new part to take the best advantage of plastics inherent properties and capabilities. The optimization of composite properties was not fully realized because of these inherent design restraints. Even under these conditions, however, a considerable weight savings was achieved. Determination of cost savings is dependent on OEM manufacturing costs which were not fully available to Davidson. However, with the best information available and using very conservative cost data, the cost savings of the MIFE vs. current construction was in excess of 6%. The commitment of Davidson Exterior Trim Textron to the SRIM process led to the design, development and building of a directed fiber preform machine with a 1830 mm (72˝) diameter screen, capable of making a preform for a complete beam/support. This machine was not available in time for the development program discussed herein and therefore, we had to use multiple preform sections as discussed in the preform section.
Kelman, JoshNelson, Gullmar V.
This SAE Standard presents a method of matching the color of a test specimen to that of an approved appearance master specimen.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
Automotive parts can be fabricated from either coiled sheet, flat sheet or extruded shapes. Alloy selection is governed by finish requirements, forming characteristics, and mechanical properties. Bright anodizing alloys 5657 and 52521 sheet provide a high luster and are preferred for trim which can be formed from an intermediate temper, such as H25. Bright anodizing alloy 5457 is used for parts which require high elongation and a fully annealed ("0") temper. Alloy 6463 is a medium strength bright anodizing extrusion alloy; Alloy X7016 is a high strength bright anodizing extrusion alloy primarily suited for bumper applications. To satisfy anti-glare requirements for certain trim applications, sheet alloy 5205 and extrusion alloy 6063 are capable of providing the desired low-gloss anodized finish. Bright anodizing alloys require control of the chemical composition of the alloy to enhance response to chemical brightening and to result in the formation of anodic coatings that are essentially transparent. Additionally, aluminum producers employ fabricating practices to minimize other metallurgical factors that adversely affect response to bright anodizing procedures. For non-heat-treatable alloys, a highly fragmented grain structure is preferred. Fully annealed, recrystallized grain structures are not optimum for bright anodizing. Where high elongations are required with intermediate tempers, fabricating practices are selected to minimize grain recrystallization. Another factor to be considered for trim application is the type of mill surface finish that is required. When the metal working treatments do not mar the mill produced surface appreciably, the smooth, bright rolled, "automotive trim" surface is desirable since it often eliminates the need for expensive mechanical buffing operations. Where trim fabricating procedures might be expected to damage a bright-rolled surface, duller mill finishes can be used and parts are buffed after forming. Bright rolled mill surfaces occasionally are protected with a removable tape or water soluble film. Selection of anodic coating required to protect aluminum parts is influenced by the required corrosion performance and appearance characteristics. Generally, anodic coatings 0.0003–0.0005 in (0.0076–0.0127 mm) thick are used for exterior trim application. Thinner anodic coatings 0.0001–0.0003 in (0.0025–0.0076 mm) are sufficient for interior trim components. Anodic coatings can be dyed to impart color, painted, or inlaid with vinyl or other plastics for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. The Aluminum Association's "Designation System for Finishes" is a recommended guide to assist in specifying anodic coatings for automotive trim. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) offers several test methods which are commonly used as the basis for many user specifications. These are: ASTM B110—Dielectric Strength of Anodically coated Aluminum ASTM B457—Measuring Impedance of Anodic Coatings of Aluminum ASTM B244—Measuring Thickness of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum with Eddy Current Instruments ASTM B136—Resistance of Anodically Coated Aluminum to Staining by Dyes ASTM B137—Weight of Coating on Anodically Coated Aluminum ASTM B368—Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test) ASTM B538—Fact (Ford Anodized Aluminum Corrosion Test) Testing ASTM B580—Guide to the Specification of Anodic Oxide Coatings on Aluminum ASTM 429—Measurement and Calculation of Reflecting Characteristics of Metallic Surfaces Using Integrating Sphere Instruments ASTM E430—Measurement of Gloss of High Gloss Metal Surfaces Using Abridged Goniophotometer or Goniophotometer
Metals Technical Committee
This SAE Standard provides test methods for determining the critical characteristics of basic or finished fiberboard products. Where applicable, methods of test developed by SAE and ASTM have been referenced.
Textile and Flexible Plastics Committee
Metals Technical Committee
This SAE Recommended Practice establishes two-dimensional eye ranges, representative of 90th, 95th, and 99th percentile increments* of the driving population, for use in defining the driver's visual requirements to interior and exterior environments in passenger cars. It is to be used in conjunction with the two-dimensional manikin specified in SAE J826. Definitions of the interior dimensions used in this SAE Recommended Practice are listed as an appendix to this practice and are quoted from Section E1 of the SAE Aerospace-Automotive Drawing Standards. Reproductions of the passenger car driver's eye range contours may be obtained from SAE by ordering eyellipse drawings supplementary to SAE J941.
Driver Vision Standards Committee
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