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FINALIST |
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(click on the picture to see a larger illustration - it opens in a new window, close that window to return here) |
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| Description: | Front End Bolster | Model: | Edge |
| OEM: | Ford Motor Company | Model Year: | 2007 |
| System Supplier: | Android | Generic Resin Type: | GF PP |
| Molder/Processor: | Meridian Automotive Systems | Resin Trade Name: | Celstran |
| Toolmaker: | Omega | Grade: | PP-GF40 |
| Material Supplier: | Ticona Engineering Polymers | Other Innovative Features: | This system has decreased vehicle mass while improving total vehicle part complexity. The development has allowed Ford to implement open architecture vehicle builds improving assembly line access. |
| Most Innovative Feature: | The Ticona Celstran glass filled polypropylene front end module has replaced current structures in vehicle assemblies. | Forming Process: | Injection molded |
| Weight Savings: | 20-30% weight savings over a welded metal structure. | First Time Process Used? | No |
| Cost Savings: | 30% saving over a welded metal structure | Previous Process: | Replaced plastic/metal hybrid and steel front end structures. |
| Cost Avoidance: | N/A | Transferable to Other Vehicles: | Yes |
| Benefits to Consumer: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Method Comments: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Innovations/Improvements: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Safety Improvements: | |||
| Yes | |||
| Environmental Comments: | |||
| Recyclable | |||
| Additional Comments: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Summary: | |||
| The is the first predominantly plastic front-end module, produced at lower weight and lower costs than metal or plastic/metal hybrid systems. The injection molded fully recyclable LFT component also decreases total vehicle part complexity, and allowed Ford to implement open-architecture vehicle builds, improving assembly line access. | |||
