Correct choice of structures technology ensures commercial success
Challenge
Customer and industry pressure to produce niche derivative vehicles, off mainstream vehicle platforms
Due to their low volume nature, they can only be commercially feasible if a low investment technology is used
Approach
All structural, material properties, and commercial data assessed, especially investment and production costs, and working collaboratively with manufacturing experts in the field. This included:
Brake pressed steel sheet
Roll formed steel
Aluminium extrusions
Post forming of the above
Composite beam sections
Composite panels
Super-formed aluminium panels
Manufacturing-led vehicle concept studies completed using actual hardware
Design led niche vehicle business opportunities developed
Benefits
Practical design and manufacturing hands-on experience gained of various manufacturing technologies
SWOT analysis established of the various technologies
Demonstrations made of new vehicle concepts, and new manufacturing technologies
