Member Article

WMG adopts Surface Generation technologies to develop lightweight automotive components

Surface Generation, a provider of advanced composite processing technologies, today announced that WMG at the University of Warwick has adopted its advanced composite processing technologies to develop new manufacturing techniques for lightweight, carbon fibre reinforced vehicle body architectures.

Funded by the Technology Strategy Board, WMG is using Surface Generation’s patented Production to Functional Specifications (PtFS) process as part of a major collaborative project to produce body panels quickly and economically for high-volume premium automotive vehicles.

PtFS encompasses a range of active thermal management technologies that uniquely allow manufacturers to continuously adapt heating and cooling levels in real-time during part production. These are crucial parameters for successfully manufacturing of carbon fibre parts, assuring quality and maximising productivity.

Geraint Williams, project manager at WMG, comments: “Surface Generation’s technologies deliver a real step change for automotive thermoplastic components. The PtFS process is quicker and more efficient than traditional approaches and unlocks a significant market opportunity for affordable, lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced components for vehicles at the top end of the high volume automotive market.”

Ben Halford, chief executive at Surface Generation, comments: “We are delighted to be working with WMG to expand the use of PtFS within the automotive sector. With the involvement of a major UK automotive player, the project has the potential to revolutionise mass-market automotive production, making vehicles stronger, safer and more fuel efficient. PtFS is far quicker and more energy efficient than traditional techniques, and provides the key for enabling viable volume production of vehicles utilising carbon-fibre for the first time.”

Surface Generation’s PtFS process is rapidly being adopted by global automotive, aerospace, industrial and consumer electronics manufacturers to significantly reduce the time and ultimate cost of producing high-performance composites.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Taylor .