Search Results

The General Motors (GM) Corvette design team was challenged with providing a C6 Z06 vehicle spaceframe that maintained the structural performance of its C5 predecessor while reducing mass by at least 56 kg. An additional requirement inherent to the project was that the design must be integrated into the C6 assembly processes with minimal disruption, i.e. seamless integration. In response to this challenge, a collaborative team was formed, consisting of design engineers from General Motors, Alcoa and Dana Corporation. The result of this collaborative effort is an aluminum Z06 spaceframe that satisfies the high performance expectations of the vehicle while reducing the mass by approximately 62 kg. The frame consists of aluminum extrusions, castings and sheets joined by MIG welding, laser welding and self-piercing rivets. The extrusions are 6XXX series alloys, the castings are permanent mold A356 while the sheet panels are formed from the 5XXX series of alloys.

In October 1999, General Motors contracted Dana Corporation to manufacture an all-aluminum spaceframe for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Corvette introduced its first ever all-aluminum frame (see Figure 1) to the world at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. The creation of this spaceframe resulted in a significant mass reduction and was a key enabler for the program to achieve the vehicle level performance results required for a Z06 in an ever-growing market. Dana Corporation leveraged ALCOA's (Aluminum Company of America) proven design capabilities while incorporating new MIG welding, laser welding, Self-Pierce Riveting (SPR), and full spaceframe machining to join General Motors (GM) Metal Fabrication Division's (MFD) hydroformed rails to produce the Corvette Z06's yearly requirement of 7000 units. This paper describes the technologies utilized throughout the assembly line and their effect on the end product.

General Motor's Corvette product engineering was given the challenge to find mass reduction opportunities on the painted body panels of the C6 Z06 through the utilization of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRC). The successful implementation of a carbon fiber hood on the 2004 C5 Commemorative Edition Z06 Corvette was the springboard for Corvette Team's appetite for a more extensive application of CFRC on the C6 Z06 model. Fenders were identified as the best application for the technology given their location on the front of the vehicle and the amount of mass saved. The C6 Z06 CFRC fenders provide 6kg reduction of vehicle mass as compared to the smaller RRIM fenders used on the Coupe and Convertible models.

The General Motors Corvette Product Engineering Team is in a continual search for mass-reduction technologies which provide performance improvements that are affordable and add value for their customers. The structural composite panels of the C6 Z06 provided a unique opportunity to extend the use of carbon fiber reinforced materials to reduce mass and enhance performance. The entire vehicle set of composite panels was reviewed as candidates for material substitution, with the selection criteria based on the cost per kg of mass saved, tooling cost required, and the location of the mass to be saved. Priority was extended to mass savings at the front of the vehicle. After a carefully balanced selection process, two components, both requiring redesign because of the Z06’s wider stance, met the criteria: the Front Wheelhouse Outer Panel and Floor Panels. The current Floor Panels, first used on the C5, are large and are a balsawood-cored glass fiber reinforced composite design.

Each year car manufacturers release new production models that are unique and innovative. The production model is the result of a lengthy process of testing aerodynamics, safety, engine components, and vehicle styling. The new technologies introduced in these vehicles reflect changing standards as well as trends of the market. From Acura to Volvo, this book provides a snapshot of the key engineering concepts and trends of the passenger vehicle industry over the course of a year. For each of the 43 new production models, articles from Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine detail technology developments as well as a comprehensive look at the 2013 passenger car models. This book provides those with an interest in new vehicles with all the information on the key automotive engineering and technology advancements of the year.

This set consists of two books, 2013 Passenger Car Yearbook, and Concept Car Year in Review: 2013. Both include articles that were written by the award-winning editors of Automotive Engineering International. The 2013 Passenger Car Yearbook details the key engineering developments in the passenger vehicle industry of the year. Each new car model is profiled in its own chapter with one or more articles. Concept Car Year in Review: 2013 provides insight to the key engineering ideas that were introduced in concept and prototype cars during that year.

The 2013 SRT Viper Carbon Fiber X-Brace, styled by Chrysler's Product Design Office (PDO), is as much of a work of art as it is an engineered structural component. Presented in this paper is the design evolution, development and performance refinement of the composite X-Brace (shown in Figure 1). The single-piece, all Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) X-Brace, an important structural component of the body system, was developed from lightweight carbon fiber material to maximize weight reduction and meet performance targets. The development process was driven extensively by virtual engineering, which applied CAE analysis and results to drive the design and improve the design efficiency. Topology optimization and section optimization were used to generate the initial design's shape, form and profile, while respecting the package requirements of the engine compartment.

This set consists of two books, 2013 Passenger Car Yearbook, and 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook. Both include articles that were written by the award-winning editors of Automotive Engineering International. Both books detail the key engineering developments in the passenger vehicle industry of that year. Each new car model is profiled in its own chapter with one or more articles.

Each year car manufacturers release new production models that are unique and innovative. These cars begin as concepts then go through the process of prototyping. The process of creating a new model can take years, involving extensive testing and refining of aerodynamics, safety, engine components, and vehicle styling. The production model is the result of this lengthy process, and its new technologies reflect the latest engineering standards as well as market trends. The 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook details the key engineering developments in the passenger vehicle industry of the year. Each new car model is profiled in its own chapter with one or more articles that were previously published and written by the award-winning editors of Automotive Engineering International. The novel engineering aspects of each new model are explored in depth.

This set consists of two books, 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook, and Concept Car Year in Review: 2013. Both include articles that were written by the award-winning editors of Automotive Engineering International. The 2014 Passenger Car Yearbook details the key engineering developments in the passenger vehicle industry of the year. Each new car model is profiled in its own chapter with one or more articles. Concept Car Year in Review: 2013 provides insight to the key engineering ideas that were introduced in concept and prototype cars during that year.

A mid-cycle refreshening adds driver-assist technologies, more tuning options for the sport model, and the nameplate's first pairing of a V8 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Shelby Mustang's street-vs-track development ratio was more biased toward the track than the majority of cars from Ford Performance Enginering—even versus the GT500.

The rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan embodies the first realization of Hyundai’s new design direction—“fluidic sculpture 2.0”—that was previewed last year with the HCD-14 Genesis concept. Beneath the “clean,” flowing exterior panels, the 2015 Genesis features a completely redesigned platform to accommodate a new available HTRAC all-wheel-drive system.

GM's best-selling global product, the new Cruze shifts to the D2XX compact platform--a move helps create a roomier vehicle while weighing less than the outgoing model.

Ford upgraded the Explorer's four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to support all-wheel drive and 3000-lb towing, while a new Platinum trim level brings many first-time amenities for Ford.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFIT: 2016 MOBILITY ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL SALARY SURVEY AND CALCULATOR Gain better insight into compensation practices: this salary survey is the only study its kind to explore levels and changes in compensation and employment for engineers and technical employees in the automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicle industries. It benchmarks compensation levels based by geography, education, industry sector, experience, and managerial and budgetary responsibility. The full report is available to SAE International members by signing into your My SAE account and downloading it into your My Library area. Members also have full access to the updated online interactive salary calculator by visiting SAE’s website. Become a member of SAE International to access this exclusive benefit for free, or purchase it today. YOU BELONG HERE. Membership helps you succeed both personally and professionally. Join us today.

The twins-under-the-skin Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are fraternal only, as they share nothing in terms of external and interior styling. The product planning teams for each brand also get to introduce other differentiators, in the case of Optima a markedly different infotainment systems than Sonata.

The XT5 now blatantly sets the new ride/handling “balance” benchmark, leaving BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Lexus RX feeling roly-poly and heavy by comparison.

The full-size SUV switches from the Titan pickup platform, to that of the iconic Patrol.