Reducing the weight of the vehicle

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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

UNSPRUNG MASS
In a ground vehicle with a suspension, the unsprung mass is
The mass of the suspension, wheels or tracks (as
applicable)
Other components directly connected to them, rather than
supported by the suspension.
Components coming under this include suspension springs,
wheel rims, other chassis components like wishbone, traiing
arm etc
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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

UNSPRUNG MASS REDUCTION
Vehicle weight reduction particularly unsprung mass

reduction
Saves energy, minimizes brake and tire wear,
Cuts down emissions. Lightweighting of vehicles is directly
linked to lower CO2 emissions
Results in Improved fuel economy.
The benefits of even modest vehicle weight reduction are
significant. Reducing an automobiles weight by a mere 50 kg
(110 lbs) reduces up to 5 g of CO2 /km and increases fuel
economy by up to 2%.
The reduction of unsprung mass can also benefit in
performance, ride and handling of vehicles particularly
passenger cars and utility vehicles
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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

LIGHTWEIGHTING STRATEGY

Various approaches for weight reduction could be

Use of polymer or engineering plastics, Aluminum or
hybrid constructions ( combination of different materials)
Downgauging or reducing thickness of body steel
components by increasing usage of advanced high
strength steels for body as well as chassis parts
With development of hot stamping the strength levels
upto 1400 Mpa could be achieved in steel sheets with a
defined chemistry.
Use of composite/engineering plastics for body panels
and less load bearing components can be done.
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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

LIGHTWEIGHTING STRATEGY
Tubular construction /design can be an option in
place of a solid section
The lightweghting in case of castings and forgings
can be achieved by optimization , thereby weight
reduction.
For autoelectricals the weight reduction can be
achieved by reducing solenoid weight through use
of advanced thermoplastics
Reduction of weight for battery cables and wiring
harness assemblies by using a hybrid construction
of Copper and Aluminum.
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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

ANALYSIS AND VALIDATION

All the above weight reduction approaches need to be
studied carefully
Through load analysis/CAE , stress levels experienced
by the part under the various loading conditions,
Manufacturing feasibility, freedom from defects
through use of advanced simulation software in
castings and forgings .
Also it is important to use a proper problem
solving/failure analysis technique in case of any failures
in usage to find out the real root cause and addressing
the same. Normally with initial failure such ideas are
abandoned
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Reducing Weight of the Vehicle

OUR SUPPORT
We at materials info can help you to take
through this journey of lightweighting of your
components /aggregates thus achieving the
final goal of reducing environmental burden

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