ABSTRACT
As the automotive industry hunts for cost-effective lightweight solutions, a significant part of the efficiency of material technology is the manufacturing process that is utilized to make the composite part. In this section, the author compares composites’ manufacturing processes with processes utilized for high volume production of steel and aluminum components. We explore the strengths and weaknesses of composite manufacturing processes versus the steel/aluminum stamping processes – by not only diving into the new innovations but also recognizing the challenges that have yet to be overcome. Over the years, automotive parts made out of steel have held a significant cost advantage over any other material including aluminum, magnesium, and composites. In this chapter, we will try to understand what is it that drives these costs and innovations in composites that have consistently worked to diminish this value gap between steel/aluminum/magnesium and composites.
