Lightweight design of automotive components using generative design with fiber-reinforced additive manufacturing

Abstract

In the development of new vehicles, increasing customer comfort requirements and rising safety regulations often result in an increase in weight. Nevertheless, in order to be able to meet the demand for reduced fuel consumption, it is necessary within product development process to implement complex and filigree lightweight structures. This contribution therefore addresses the potential of generatively developed components for fiber-reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM). Currently, several commercial systems for this application are available on the market. Therefore, a comparison of the systems is first made to determine a suitable system. Then, a highly stressed and safety-relevant chassis component of a race car is generatively designed and manufactured using FRAM. A matrix with short fiber reinforcement and additional long fiber reinforcement with carbon fibers is applied. Finally, tensile tests are carried out to check the mechanical properties. In addition, relevant properties such as weight and cost are obtained in order to be able to compare them with conventionally developed and manufactured components.