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New Auto-Steel Partnership Toolkit helps Automakers Boost Fuel Economy with AHSS
Jun. 16, 2009 The Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP) has released its latest update to the Advanced High-Strength Steel Applications Design and Stamping Process Guidelines, a comprehensive manual that assists automotive product designers and materials engineers in specifying and applying specific grades of AHSS parts.
"Through greater formability and manufacturability, engineers and automakers are now able to make lighter, stronger and more fuel-efficient vehicle structures with advanced high-strength steels."
Roger Heimbuch
Executive Director, Auto/Steel Partnership
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The updated manual — A Special Edition of In-depth Advanced High-Strength Steel Case Studies — helps die engineers and stampers define the process for making successful parts, making it possible for automakers to achieve their goals for strength, safety and reduced mass at an affordable cost.
"Advanced high-strength steels are helping automakers meet the design challenges surrounding fuel economy regulations, safety and tough environmental standards," said Roger Heimbuch, Executive Director of the A/SP. "Through greater formability and manufacturability, engineers and automakers are now able to make lighter, stronger and more fuel-efficient vehicle structures with advanced high-strength steels."
The updated manual includes a section with schematic die sketches that help to demonstrate the most common forming methods for AHSS, including the stamping processes used most frequently by the A/SP's AHSS Stamping Team. The die processes selected are first operation form dies and illustrate the benefits of certain die features in stamping AHSS in a stable, dimensionally controlled approach.
Professionals from the automotive and steel industries work together through A/SP to address common materials-related challenges. The partnership’s collaborative projects help steelmakers and carmakers work together to incorporate the advantages of steel in the design of future vehicles. Efforts like this, together with the benefits of cost-effective, lightweight solutions, have made AHSS the fastest-growing material in today's vehicles.
Formed in 1987, the Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP) leverages resources of the automotive, steel and related industries. The organization is dedicated to utilizing innovative steel solutions for a changing automotive market using inter-company and industry cooperative programs to ensure member company success, while proactively resolving governmental regulatory agency requirements and customer needs. Members include
- Chrysler Group LLC
- Ford Motor Co.
- General Motors Corp.
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco
- ArcelorMittal USA
- Nucor Corp.
- Severstal North America Inc.
- United States Steel Corp.