Light-join: Joining technologies to enable implementation of lightweight structures in automotive
Lead Participant:
JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
Abstract
The automotive industry faces major challenges to meet targets for emissions, efficiency, performance and cost; light weighting of parts using composites enables all of these to be addressed, except for cost. A key driver of cost of composites is the limited ability & capacity in the joining technology available. In project Light-Join, JLR, Nissan and their Tier 1 suppliers aim to develop a number of solutions that will enable cost effective integration of high performance composite components into volume car production. Light-Join aims to enable replacement of specific metal vehicle components with composites, specifically focussed on developing rapid joining solutions, raising the manufacturing maturity to produce a small scale demonstrator component (MRL5) and assessing the potential for scale-up to MRL9A. This project will develop a solution leading to 30% weight reduction for all-aluminium construction (for JLR) and 60% compared to an all steel construction (for Nissan). Critically this approach will have industry wide applicability, allowing a lower risk introduction of lightweight composite components to the mass market.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED | £212,204 | £ 106,102 |
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Participant |
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NISSAN MOTOR MANUFACTURING (UK) LIMITED | £90,495 | £ 45,248 |
SCOTT BADER COMPANY LIMITED | £45,056 | £ 22,528 |
STADCO LIMITED | £25,605 | £ 12,803 |
FAR-UK LTD | £719,381 | £ 503,567 |
AUTOTECH ENGINEERING R&D UK LIMITED | £321,585 | £ 160,793 |
ANSYS UK LIMITED | ||
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK | £252,954 | £ 252,954 |
GRANTA DESIGN LIMITED | £226,317 | £ 114,790 |
TWI LIMITED | £451,773 | £ 451,773 |
INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Sean Ng (Project Manager) |