Powertrain  Finalist  Delphi Automotive

Description   Plastic Composite Iron Ignition Cores
OEM, Model, Model Year   General Motors, Opel Astra, 1992
System Supplier, Contact, Phone   Delphi Automotive, Thom Reddington, (756)646-2223
Molder/Processor, Contact and Phone   Delphi Automotive, Bill Micheal, (856)829-2220
Toolmaker   Toolco
Material Supplier, Contact and Phone   GE Plastics, Tim Rash, (812)831-4829
Generic resin type   PEI
Resin Trade Name   Ultem
Grade   1000
Nominated by, Company   David Gay, Delphi Automotive
Address   8750 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Phone   (317)579-3735
Fax   (317)579-4991
Email   david.gay@delphiauto.com
Summary Plastic coated iron power is molded into an unsintered, net shape part with high density and strength. These parts replace laminated cores for AC electromagnetic cores such as ignition or stator cores. The plastic insulation layer on each particle isolates the eddy current losses. Weight Savings: None Cost Savings: $5 million over 10 years Cost Avoidance: Parts reduction, design flexibility.
Most Innovative Feature Net shape manufacturing to replace laminations in AC electromagnetic applications
Other Innovative Features Coating iron powder with plastic layer to isolate molded part to isolate for EDDY current losses
Forming Process Microencapsulation and uniaxial compression molding
First time process used? Yes - in Portugal in 1990
Previous Process Used Metal sheet laminations, stamping, welding
Tooling Innovations Warm pressing and powder heating
New Material Developments Studies to utilize soluble, high temp melt flow material
Direct Cost Savings $5 million over 10 years
Indirect Cost Savings Parts reduction, higher efficiency, design flexibility
Direct Consumer Benefit Smaller package, higher energy, lower temperature operation
Translates to other Vehicles? Yes
Environmental Benefits Newer formulations eliminate Methylane Chloride usage
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