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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: | Thermoplastic Composite Headliner | Model: | Accord |
| OEM: | Honda | Model Year: | 2008 |
| System Supplier: | TS Tech | Generic Resin Type: | PP/GF |
| Molder/Processor: | TS Tech | Resin Trade Name: | SuperLite |
| Toolmaker: | N/A | Grade: | XLT |
| Material Supplier: | AZDEL | Other Innovative Features: | N/A |
| Most Innovative Feature: | Improved Acoustics, lower weight and reduced cost. | Forming Process: | Thermoforming |
| Weight Savings: | 5% | First Time Process Used? | Yes |
| Cost Savings: | ~10% cost out | Previous Process: | New SuperLite XLT, providing a greater molded thickness, better stiffness and reduced cost. |
| Cost Avoidance: | ~10% through elimination of acoustic materials | Transferable to Other Vehicles: | Yes- in the process of translation |
| Benefits to Consumer: | |||
| Improved acoustics | |||
| Method Comments: | |||
| New material developed with a new additive allowing for greater 'free loft' and subsequent molded thickness. | |||
| Innovations/Improvements: | |||
| None required | |||
| Safety Improvements: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Environmental Comments: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Additional Comments: | |||
| N/A | |||
| Summary: | |||
| A new grade of thermoformable, low-density GMT composite uses a special additive to provide greater loft and molded part thickness, yielding better stiffness (per area weight) and a 10% cost savings (through elimination of acoustic materials), as well as a 5% weight savings in this headliner. Acoustical performance is also improved. | |||
