Page 43 - MetalForming-May-2018-issue

of cost and weight savings will emerge as the strategic choice for hang-on panel applications.
Body-structure applications present many challenges. Increased stiffness will typically improve handling and reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). In addition to the inherent stiff- ness associated with the material and geometry of a part, NVH characteristics can be improved by using lightweight polymer sheets or foams. Crash resist- ance, on the other hand, is more closely associated with strength. For the same design, steel offers a significant advan- tage in available choices. Without the constraint of a Class A surface, com- mercially available steel grades offer tensile strength exceeding 1600 MPa.
This isn’t to say that aluminum- intensive body structures are not pos- sible—the market offers many exam- ples. However, they skew toward more expensive vehicles where lightweight- ing for fuel-economy improvements is
not a primary issue and sheetmetal cost becomes a smaller percentage of the transaction price. Improved crash performance comes with higher strength as well as with components
Thickness affects dent resistance as well, limiting the degree to which panel thickness can be reduced in the name of weight savings.
having crash-resistant design elements such as closed sections, larger flanges or more shape—all possibly requiring greater formability from higher- strength aluminum grades. Placing more shape into a part also increases stiffness. Consider a piece of paper: It’s pretty flimsy, but place a crease
down the center and it becomes more rigid. Additional shapes placed into parts to restrict flexing include darts, beads and ribs.
Furthermore, these parts must be joined in a robust, high-speed, cost- effective manner. Ford spent nearly $1 billion to rebuild an F-150 plant to stamp and assemble the aluminum- intensive cab and bed, and join it to a steel frame. This financial hurdle may limit the number of automakers willing to go all-in and make an aluminum- intensive body structure. However, the number of closure or swing panels made from aluminum alloys continues togrow. MF
Do you want to learn more about different sheetmetals and formability? Then plan to attend PMA’s Sheetmetal Formability of Steel, Aluminum and Stainless Steels seminar in Cleveland, OH, June 26-27. Visit www.pma.org to register or contact Marianne Sichi at msichi@pma.org for information.
The Science of Forming
Spotlight on PMA
May 1-2, Die Maintenance Seminar, Windsor, CT
May 2-4, FABTECH Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
May 8, Press Maintenance and Safety Seminar, Nashville, TN May 16, Energy Procurement and Market Update Webinar May 16-17, High-Speed Stamping Seminar, Cleveland, OH May 23, Someone Is at the Door—and It’s OSHA Webinar
District Golf Outings in Full Swing
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Time to polish your clubs and get ready for PMA’s district golf outings. Many local PMA Annual district outings in May and June offering valuable opportunities for networking and friendly competition. So make plans now to test your skills, get to know some of your peers and see how PMA can benefit you and your company. Space is limited, so find the outings near you and register early at www.pma.org/districts.
Visit www.pma.org or contact PMA at 216/901-8800 or info@pma.org for details about these upcoming events.
Wanted: 2018 Awards of Excellence in Metalforming Entries
PMA Welcomes
• Nova Sidera Metal Forming Corp., Miami, FL, and Italy • Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc., Twinsburg, OH
• PNC Bank NA, Cleveland, OH
• Prime Controls, Inc., Dayton, OH
its Newest Members
• Prizer-Painter Stove Works, Blandon, PA
• Southern Recycling LLC, Bowling Green, KY
Join PMA and experience the power of membership! Contact Janet Krall at 216/901-8800 or jkrall@pma.org with questions.
Entries now are being accepted for PMA’s 2018 Awards of Excellence in Metalform- ing. The awards recognize companies
for outstanding achievements in design, innovation and technology, quality, train-
ing and education, process control,
product development, and productivity.
Visit www.pma.org/awards to view details
about each award and submission require-
ments, and start preparing your winning entry today. Deadline for entries is June 30, 2018.
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/May 2018 41