Automotive Applications Division Research / Foresight

Technology Roadmapping

The overall objective of the Technology Roadmapping exercise was to develop a Road Map and supporting documentation that will provide the basis for identifying priority areas for research in technologies for road transport. Future calls for proposals and project selection under the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme will be guided by the Technology Road Map.

The Road Map now available on the Foresight Vehicle website (www.foresightvehicle.org.uk) is the culmination of almost 12 months consultation with the UK automotive industry, academe and other stakeholders, from both private and public sectors.

IoM ITPB Response

Views of the Automotive Applications Division Board (AADB)

The views and interests of the AADB cover a wide range of subjects that encompass the description of "automotive materials". In general, it is considered that no new materials need to be developed specifically for automotive applications. The emphasis should be on developing or improving methods of processing existing materials such that the forces that are driving the industry (improved fuel efficiency, light-weighting, safety and energy absorption, reduced pollution, improved manufacturing efficiency, concurrent engineering and reduced time to market, recycling and globalisation), can be addressed, more cost effectively, through material choice.

The topics of interest that need support for research are as follows:

Plastic Moulding

• In-mould colour films/painting (no paint shop option)
  
• Muliti-layer sandwich moulding (optimisation of surface and core properties)
  
• Polymer/metal combination moulding (design, manufacture and service performance of multi-material components)
  
• Low cost tooling for high pressure moulding processes (assist low volume production)
  

Metal Forming and Casting

• Closed die thixoforming of Mg (subtle alloy development needed to widen process window)
  
• Improve dimensional control of castings in general (net shape or near net shape requirement)
  
• Thin-walled, high strength, steel castings (weight reduction)
  
• Electro-magnetic forming of sheet aluminium (high velocity, overcomes difficult shapes, energy efficient)
  
• Warm and cold forming (net shape or near net shape requirement)

Joining Technology

• Aluminium floor pan and body structures
  
• Multi material capability (to cover roster of new materials and technologies required to deliver low weight)

Recycling

• Thermoplastic structures and body skins
  
• Design for disassembly, re-use and recycling

Race Car Technology Transfer (from F1)

• Light weight, ultra stiff materials (process development and material optimisation to reduce costs)
  
• Energy absorption (impact situation)
  
• Low friction (engines)
  
• Sensors (monitor operating conditions and control of systems)

Specific New Materials

• Metal foams (weight reduction)
  
• Polymer nano-composites (enhanced performance and engineered properties in an affordable form)
  
• Sensors (increasingly the main controller of various automotive systems)

As an applications division, the interests of the AADB clearly acts upon, or has synergy with, several other Boards activities within the Institute's structure. A common approach, or direct collaboration, to progress related research ideas/themes should be a major goal for the respective Boards and the Institute as a whole. This has begun through the Electronic Materials Board, with Sensor Technology, but should spread across the whole spectrum of Divisions.