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Albany & Ricardo to get 3D composites in automotive sector

25 Feb '15

2 min read

Albany Engineering Composites (AEC), manufacturers of advanced composites components, and Ricardo plc., a global multi-industry consultancy, have joined hands to launch advanced materials like 3D composites and structural lightweight solutions that increase fuel economy while maintaining occupant safety, to the automotive industry.

Aerospace composite supplier, AEC and automotive design experts at Ricardo announced that they have entered into a collaborative partnership to provide composite body, chassis and other structural components to the automotive industry. The relationship combines AEC’s experience designing and supplying composite parts noted for their impact and damage tolerance in the aerospace market with Ricardo’s automotive vehicle design capabilities.

According to the agreeement, Ricardo and AEC will jointly explore the use of AEC technologies like 3D composites for providing the stiffness, strength, durability, and energy absorption necessary to lightweight applications such as crash structures. Often these structures are made of metal and are difficult to replace with a lighter weight materials while maintaining safety standards. The synergies available from the AEC-Ricardo collaboration will be particularly attractive to automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers that want to reduce body and chassis mass, while also maintaining vehicle structural and safety performance, the companies said in a statement.

Brian Coffenberry, vice president of business development for research & technology at AEC said, “We’re excited to leverage our experience with 3D and other advanced composite technologies in the automotive industry. The ability to lightweight with durability has been a technology enabler for our aerospace customers, and we believe our partnership with Ricardo can deliver the same technology advances to automotive customers.”

Ricardo’s chief operating officer, Mark Garrett said, “The combination of Ricardo’s automotive engineering capabilities and AEC technology, design, and manufacturing capabilities should provide a unique opportunity to speed the implementation of advanced light-weighting solutions for our customers.” (GK)

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