Several 'Firsts' Characterize Winners of SPE Auto Innovation Awards

The 48^th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition was celebrated by SPE’s Automotive Division at its gala in Livonia, Mich., with the announcement of the winners of this year’s nine categories, including the newly-added ‘additive manufacturing’ slot. For this editor, it was once again an honor to be a participating judge in this well-recognized event.

SPE’s Automotive Innovation Awards Program is the oldest and largest competition of its kind globally. Dozens of teams made up of OEMs, tier suppliers, and polymer producers submit nominations describing their part, system, or complete vehicle and why it merits the claim as the Year’s Most Innovative Use of Plastics. This event typically draws over 700 OEM engineers, automotive and plastics industry executives, and media. Funds raised from this event are used to support SPE educational efforts and technical seminars, which help educate and secure the role of plastics in the advancement of the automobile.

Here’s a brief look at the nine winners, starting with the grand winner award—also the winner of the Powertrain category. In future blogs, I will highlight some of the other contenders in the various categories that definitely merit attention.

Powertrain/Grand Award Winner—Vacuum Generation System for Brake Assist

The open/close valve actuation is accomplished via two complementary resin systems acting in concert to provide for critical no “stick-slip” and no measurable wear after 2,500,000 hot/cold test cycles. Injection molding allows for very close tolerances of critical details necessary for total system performance. A 40% weight savings and a 25% cost savings over current pump systems were achieved.

OEM Make & Model:  2017 Ford Motor Co. Ford F-150 pickup

Tier Supplier/Processor:  Dayco Products/MacLean-Fogg, Engineered Plastics Co. 

Material Supplier/Toolmaker: DuPont Automotive/Kaid Tool & Die  

Material/Process:  Delrin 73M30 POM+PTFE, Minion 520MP PA6/injection molding

Additive Manufacturing—Window Alignment Fixture

This additive fixture was 30% lighter and cheaper to produce vs. a traditional welded fixture.  It was also much faster to manufacture—only 50 hours to build the integrated fixture with handles and mounting brackets. Ergonomics were improved significantly. The plastic fixture allows for easier handling and avoided the requirement for a lift assist. The printed fixture integrated pneumatic control, eyelets for a stowage rack, trigger switch housing, ergonomic handles, gage protector deflector and pneumatic tubing retainers and switch mounts.

OEM Make & Model:  2017 Ford Motor Co. Mustang Convertible sports car

Tier Supplier/Processor:  Stratasys/Stratasys

Material Supplier/Toolmaker:  Stratasys/Stratasys Direct Manufacturing

Material/Process:  PA 12 35% short carbon fiber/ Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Body Exterior—Thermoplastic Liftgate

Replacing a steel liftgate with a new thermoplastic design enabled a 28% mass reduction and a 50% tooling and capital investment savings through part integration and manufacturing efficiency. An industry first use of conformal infrared welding behind the MIC grain class A surface increased structural and dimensional performance and enabled quicker processing. Bonded-in brackets enabled patent pending tethering attachments without fasteners, improved metal reinforcement efficiency and maintained styling surface wrap in D pillars without sacrificing DLO. All this was accomplished within an 18-month window.

OEM Make & Model:  2019 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Jeep Cherokee SUV

Tier Supplier/Processor:  Magna International Inc./Magna Exteriors Belvidere

Material Supplier/Toolmaker: Trinseo & LyondellBasell /Tycos Tool & Die

Material/Process:  DLGF 9411 & Hifax TYC TPO/injection molding

Body Interior—Integrated Modular Pelvic Bolster

This application combines two unique side-impact bolster designs to meet the requirements for 5^th and 50^th percentile occupants. Integrating them into the map packet resulted in tooling cost savings estimated at $100,000. There was an additional $100,000 in direct savings in testing time and $8 per vehicle cost avoidance if add-on bolsters were used.   An approximate 10% weight savings was achieved. Modular features were added to improve performance, by increasing flexibility of design, and reduce use of multiple bolster parts.

OEM Make & Model:  2018 Ford Motor Co. Lincoln Navigator SUV

Tier Supplier/Processor:  Faurecia Interior Systems/Faurecia Interior Systems

Material Supplier/Toolmaker: LyondellBassell/Roush Tooling

Material/Process:  Profax SG702 PP/injection molding

Chassis/Hardware—High Strength Self-tapping Composite Nut

This composite nut has self-healing properties enabling it to maintain sufficient torque and clamp load even after it has been stripped, unlike the metal nut that this composite nut replaces. Total mass savings is 8g per location x 121 locations for a total vehicle mass savings of 2.1 lb specific to the Chrysler Pacifica. The estimated cost savings per vehicle is $3.25. The composite nut can be translated across all OEMs and in many additional applications.

OEM Make & Model:  2016 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Chrysler—Pacifica minivan

Tier Supplier/Processor:  ITW Deltar Fasteners/ITW Deltar Fasteners

Material Supplier/Toolmaker: Asahi Kasei Plastics/Maple Mold

Material/Process: Leona 90G55 PA66/injection molding