kscarbel2 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Fleet Owner / April 4, 2017 Company says this new tactic is one of 24 “product expectation” topics being addressed by its engineers at annual SAE gathering. Reducing weight is becoming a major engineering focus for light vehicle and commercial equipment manufacturers alike largely as part of an overall effort to generate fuel economy gains. Along those lines, the U.S. division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA US LLC) is experimenting with “poking holes” in car and light truck frame assemblies at precise locations the reduce weight. Phil Jansen, head of product development for FCA–North America, explained this week at WCX 2017, the annual international gathering of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Michigan, that weight reduction is a key contributor to improved fuel economy and can be achieved by using less material. The challenge, he said, is determining which components can withstand weight reduction – and by how much – while still satisfying customer expectations for vehicle durability and performance. To that end, FCA US engineers developed multiple algorithms to quickly and precisely determine the optimal size and shape of “lightening holes” and can apply them to any number of vehicle components. The company said simulations using those algorithms on virtual truck-frame components, for example, produced weight savings of 3% to 5%. “With such a tool at their disposal, [our] vehicle development teams can accelerate their work, which benefits customers by reducing the time required to bring new products to market,” Jansen noted in a statement. “Such progress bodes well for our ongoing investigation of strategic material placement.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dirtymilkman Posted April 4, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted April 4, 2017 Uh oh........... Remember the Ford "Swiss cheese" frames..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 In theory, its great. Real life,...... Especially in light trucks, how many owners load it "properly"? 1 Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadwayR Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 4 hours ago, Dirtymilkman said: Uh oh........... Remember the Ford "Swiss cheese" frames..... I was just thinking that....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobblin-Goblin Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 If they're talking pickup frames, they've already switched to fully boxed frames. Filling them full of holes defeats the entire purpose of going boxed. (I am not a fan of boxed frames, just stating the obvious) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 (edited) All to comply with the Federal CAFE standards coming in to effect. The Obama administration outlined in 2011 its goal of boosting average fleet fuel economy to 54.5 miles starting between 2018 and 2025. A combined increase of more than 90 percent over 2011 levels Also coming in to play is EPA mandated requirements for medium and heavy trucks including increased aerodynamics, Low rolling resistance tires, ground effects and computer controlled tire pressure monitoring systems. One of the main reasons for Fords Eco boost engines, Close to the same power as a V8 but a large weight savings. GM is following with an Aluminum bed for weight savings, Paul Edited April 4, 2017 by 41chevy Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 3 hours ago, 41chevy said: All to comply with the Federal CAFE standards coming in to effect. The Obama administration outlined in 2011 its goal of boosting average fleet fuel economy to 54.5 miles starting between 2018 and 2025. A combined increase of more than 90 percent over 2011 levels Also coming in to play is EPA mandated requirements for medium and heavy trucks including increased aerodynamics, Low rolling resistance tires, ground effects and computer controlled tire pressure monitoring systems. One of the main reasons for Fords Eco boost engines, Close to the same power as a V8 but a large weight savings. GM is following with an Aluminum bed for weight savings, Paul Aluminum bed? BBBBBUT...They'll dent! Unless of course you lower the height of the skid steer doing the dumping by an inch or two- Force= Mass x Acceleration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Supposedly gm is keeping the floor steel. I think the floor and wheel wells should be steel and the rest plastic. Door skins, front fenders, box sides and tailgates could all be a poly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swishy Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 If U're aimin for 90% reduction in fuel from year 2011 Th@ means the Govt will B missin out on 90% of fuel exize tax (wot evr U wanna call it) me thinx they will have there hand in u're poket sumwhere/how to make up the difference ........... n sum LOL cya §wishy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 18 hours ago, Swishy said: If U're aimin for 90% reduction in fuel from year 2011 Th@ means the Govt will B missin out on 90% of fuel exize tax (wot evr U wanna call it) me thinx they will have there hand in u're poket sumwhere/how to make up the difference ........... n sum LOL cya §wishy Me thinx you may be right and they will have there hand in your pocket before they reach there target and if they dont reach me also thinx they wont give you a refund Wot sez you Swish Man ???? Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Underdog Posted April 5, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2017 Supposedly gm is keeping the floor steel. I think the floor and wheel wells should be steel and the rest plastic. Door skins, front fenders, box sides and tailgates could all be a poly. I know! We'll build a plastic car and call it a... SATURN! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Underdog said: I know! We'll build a plastic car and call it a... SATURN! or Bricklin Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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