Weight reduction is a
priority across automotive industry today. As new regulations and industry
standards push towards achieving increased vehicle efficiency and minimizing
carbon footprint, it has become imperative for auto manufacturing companies to create
designs that minimize weight of the vehicle.
From minutest fasteners to complete vehicle architectures, modern automotive chassis design for weight reduction focus primarily on wringing out additional weight from new systems and components. At the same time, auto manufacturers are looking for innovative ways of lightening the existing vehicle designs, thus, complying with industry standards and regulations, while playing a key role towards sustainable development.
From minutest fasteners to complete vehicle architectures, modern automotive chassis design for weight reduction focus primarily on wringing out additional weight from new systems and components. At the same time, auto manufacturers are looking for innovative ways of lightening the existing vehicle designs, thus, complying with industry standards and regulations, while playing a key role towards sustainable development.
What are the Key Drivers
Facilitating Automotive Weight Reduction?
The benefits and motivations for automotive weight reduction are
abundant, though a number of barriers also exist. Typically, the key driving
factors behind switching to modern automotive chassis design for weight
reduction are discussed herewith:
- Government regulations – In most countries, auto manufacturers have to comply with strict government regulations pertaining to light-weight vehicle chassis. As the regulations are becoming more stringent, more and more manufacturers to switching to automotive weight reduction.
- Fuel economy and minimizing CO2 emissions – One of the most important reasons behind shifting to weight-reducing vehicle designs is achieving fuel economy and minimizing harmful CO2 emissions. Lighter the vehicle chassis is, better it contributes to fuel economy by delivering smooth performance. At the same time, CO2 emissions can be reduced dramatically with light-weight designs.
- Consumer behavior – Of late, more and more consumers are demonstrating a changing behavior towards lightweight vehicles, which come with significant benefits and a great value for money. Considering this changing consumer behavior, auto manufacturers are moving towards automotive chassis design for weight reduction.
- Vehicle safety – With lightweight chassis, safety of the vehicle increases considerably. And this is one important factor that has contributed towards changing consumer behavior and intensity towards manufacturing lightweight vehicles.
- Cost benefits – Manufacturing lightweight chassis, but with the superior safety guarantee ensures significant cost savings for both manufacturers and buyers.
Chassis Design and
Engineering Services:
Creating chassis design for weight reduction can be complex. Therefore,
the best way to increase efficiency and minimize costs is to outsource
specialized chassis design and engineering services. This includes:
- Concept development:
- Feasibility studies
- Package development
- Benchmarks
- Static/dynamic envelopes
- Assembly simulation
- Variant development
- Module/Component Development:
- Steering components
- Axle subassemblies and components
- Springs/shock absorbers
- Engine mounts
- Brake components
- Fuel system
- Tires and wheels
- Exhaust systems
- Front and rear axle
- Wheel brake
- Module Integration:
- Assembly studies
- Package/concept
- Considering moving parts
- Digital mock-ups
- Module system requirements
- Creating support for lightweight vehicle design on the basis of chassis variant
- Simulation/Calculation:
- Topology optimization
- Strength or stiffness
- Multi-body simulation
- Calculation models
- CFD
- Vibration
- Simulation of control systems
- Vehicle dynamics simulation
- Vehicle chassis stiffness analysis
best ways to reduce weight
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