Contributions to Conferences

How to Design Noise/Vibration/Harshness-Products for Automotive Industry with Nonwovens

Abstract

Polymers in form of fibres, nonwovens and structural parts are used for many automotive applications. They offer the possibility to fulfil different requirements and the capability to be engineered for varying applications (see fig. 1).
Engineered nonwovens reduce the weight, enhance the safety of cars, the appearance, and the cost-effectiveness, but most parts have different technical requirements as illustrated in fig. 2.
Another major aspect for every O.E.M. are economic interests. To achieve a cost reduction, expensive features have to be eliminated and a reduction weight to be enabled. The pressure to reduce the costs has increased in the past years. A problem hindering the accomplishment of this goal is the complex supply chain structure within the automotive industry. Every step of this chain works independent and information is shared only minimally. Therefore it is not easy to accomplish desired changes on parts. A complex approval process involving each tier level and finally the O.E.M. is established, requiring sometimes up to a year for changing complex parts.