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Automaker, Supplier Honored for AHSS-Based Rear Frame That Sheds Weight, But Not Safety
05/11/2016 - The Steel Market Development Institute has recognized Honda’s North American research and development unit and automotive parts manufacturer Gestamp for their work on a project incorporating advanced, high-strength steel into hot-stamped rear frames for the Honda Civic.
Gestamp and Honda R&D Americas Inc. were presented with the institute’s Automotive Excellence Award during its 15th annual Great Designs in Steel seminar, held Wednesday in Michigan.
According to the institute, the two manufacturers collaborated on a rear frame that is 20 percent lighter than those in previous models, but has a fully realized crush mode.
"The project implemented an innovative hot-stamping process with localized soft zones to create crush initiation sites,” said Jody Hall, the institute’s automotive market vice president. “This combination allowed them to achieve mass reduction and reduce part count, while maintaining all performance metrics," she said.
Gestamp said the project started in 2013 with Honda in Japan, but then shifted to North America in 2014 as an effort of the global development team. Gestamp manufactures various body components for the 2016 Honda Civic in its plant in West Virginia.
The institute’s Automotive Excellence Award is intended to recognize automakers, suppliers and academics who have made significant advancements in automotive steel. Award winners are chosen from those who presented at the previous year's seminar.
According to the institute, the two manufacturers collaborated on a rear frame that is 20 percent lighter than those in previous models, but has a fully realized crush mode.
"The project implemented an innovative hot-stamping process with localized soft zones to create crush initiation sites,” said Jody Hall, the institute’s automotive market vice president. “This combination allowed them to achieve mass reduction and reduce part count, while maintaining all performance metrics," she said.
Gestamp said the project started in 2013 with Honda in Japan, but then shifted to North America in 2014 as an effort of the global development team. Gestamp manufactures various body components for the 2016 Honda Civic in its plant in West Virginia.
The institute’s Automotive Excellence Award is intended to recognize automakers, suppliers and academics who have made significant advancements in automotive steel. Award winners are chosen from those who presented at the previous year's seminar.
