Materials selection makes light vehicle lighter
A
Corus Automotive product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Mar 1, 2005
Materials and vehicle engineering expertise from Corus during the development stages of LDV's all-new Maxus range of light commercial vehicles has helped to deliver weight and cost benefits.
Materials and vehicle engineering expertise from Corus during the development stages of LDV's all-new Maxus range of light commercial vehicles has helped to deliver weight and cost benefits to the Birmingham based manufacturer.
On sale from January 2005, the all-new LDV Maxus is a class-leading range of light commercial vehicles.
LDV first approached Corus Strip Products UK in 2004 to undertake a number of studies to assist it to identify weight reduction and vehicle assembly improvements prior to the vehicle's launch.
Uniquely, Corus has been able to offer LDV the support of its Automotive Engineering Group based in Coventry, which specialises in developing innovative vehicle engineering solutions using latest thinking in materials and manufacturing technologies.
The focus for Corus' support included a material selection study to optimise the use of Galvatite hot-dip galvanised steels throughout the body structure.
This has allowed LDV to use the most cost-effective steel solutions while guaranteeing a high exterior surface finish and superior corrosion performance.
In addition, Corus has undertaken gauge optimisation studies to help identify weight-saving opportunities while maintaining the vehicle's body stiffness and performance characteristics.
The studies have resulted in a 15kg per vehicle weight saving while maintaining the robust body and chassis structural targets for Maxus.
This was no easy task as Maxus is 20% stiffer than the company's existing Convoy range.
Corus also provided on-site technical support during press trials to help optimise the press line.
This ensured that all material specifications were correct and helped LDV to deliver high quality panel finish.
Nick Fell, Design and Engineering Director LDV, said: "Corus' expertise has helped us to optimise the design and improve our performance against target in many areas of the Maxus project during its final development stages".
"We are now ramping up production and are confident that the all new Maxus will compete with the best in the business".
Keith Murray, Business Development Manager Corus Strip Products UK, added: "The LDV Maxus project is just another example of how Corus can utilise its materials, vehicle engineering and manufacturing technology expertise to help meet the cost, lightweighting and performance challenges of our automotive customers".
However, for Corus its support for LDV is not over.
Murray concludes: "We are continuing to work closely with LDV to look at further refinements to the vehicle, and have recently undertaken a joint value-engineering exercise with the light commercial vehicle specialist that has identified another potential 150 weight and assembly ideas, which are currently being assessed".
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