Ultra-lightweight Tubular Structures (LTS)
An Advantage Niche Vehicle Collaboration with Westfield Sportscars, Delta Motorsport, Reynolds Technology and Penso Consulting.
The LTS collaborative project commenced April 2009 and culminated in April 2010.
LTS aimed to investigate the potential of high grade steel tubing in the construction of lightweight vehicles as a replacement for mild steel alternatives. With the broad objectives of investigating weight savings and potential manufacturing process improvements obtainable from the application of high grade butted steel tubing, the project also sought to understand the cost implications and business model surrounding the application of such materials. The project went on to develop new designs to maximise opportunities presented by the application of the materials and to understand the optimal mix of materials in component and chassis design, potentially combining high strength steels with more traditional lower cost materials. The project culminated with an examination into the effect of high strength steel tubing on the crashworthiness of chassis structures.
Innovation was supported through the application of new materials and construction techniques currently applied in the bicycle market to automotive vehicle structures and suspension components.Results were disseminated on the HDTI (21/04/2010) attended by 28 NVN companies & showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed July 1-4 2010 and Low Carbon Vehicle 2010 at Millbrook, Sept 15-16 2010 .Given the opportunities of weight saving and increased chassis stiffness, the final results were a 15% saving in weight and 15% improvement in chassis stiffness. The Network thanks the collaborative partners Westfield Sportscars, Reynolds Tubing, Delta Motorsport and Penso Consulting for their contributions to the successful project.
Members can download a report on the project in the programme reports page on the left, if you don't see it then you're not logged in as a member. Reports are available to NVN members only. Login/register.
Extract from Engineer magazine November 2010
