Secrets of 2014 Corvette Stingray Carbon Fiber Revealed
03-04-2013, 08:08 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
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Secrets of 2014 Corvette Stingray Carbon Fiber Revealed
http://www.lsxtv.com/news/secrets-of...iber-revealed/
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has been revealed to the world with a new aluminum chassis, a new 450 horsepower LT1 engine, and a new world-class interior. But less talked about is the all-new carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body panels, which have helped contribute to an overall lower weight than the outgoing 2013 Corvette. And as we all know, weight is the enemy of speed.
Composites World explains how GM and its subsidiaries developed and built this next-generation body material that is strong, lightweight, and thanks to recent developments, easy to mass produce. Soon it won’t only be the Corvette wearing CFRP panels.
Specifically, the removable roof and hood of the 2014 Corvette Stingray are made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which is exactly what it sounds like. Carbon fiber, as we know, is an expensive and exotic material that is lightweight and very strong, but manufacturing takes a lot of time and money.
A new out-of-autoclave “pressure press” technology invented by Plasan Carbon Composites allows for the CFRP panels to be manufactured 75% faster than previous autoclave parts. The process also requires 80% less post-mold finishing, streamlining the manufacturing process.
This new process could mean that CFRP panels move from exotic, low-volume vehicles like the Corvette to more mass market offerings, like the Chevy Cruze. Combined, the removable roof and hood use just 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them, and the process takes just 17 minutes to produce one panel. That is a fast enough turnaround time that it can soon be used en masse.
Yup, your average economy car may one day share body panel technology with the Corvette. Wrap your head around that.
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has been revealed to the world with a new aluminum chassis, a new 450 horsepower LT1 engine, and a new world-class interior. But less talked about is the all-new carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body panels, which have helped contribute to an overall lower weight than the outgoing 2013 Corvette. And as we all know, weight is the enemy of speed.
Composites World explains how GM and its subsidiaries developed and built this next-generation body material that is strong, lightweight, and thanks to recent developments, easy to mass produce. Soon it won’t only be the Corvette wearing CFRP panels.
Specifically, the removable roof and hood of the 2014 Corvette Stingray are made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which is exactly what it sounds like. Carbon fiber, as we know, is an expensive and exotic material that is lightweight and very strong, but manufacturing takes a lot of time and money.
A new out-of-autoclave “pressure press” technology invented by Plasan Carbon Composites allows for the CFRP panels to be manufactured 75% faster than previous autoclave parts. The process also requires 80% less post-mold finishing, streamlining the manufacturing process.
This new process could mean that CFRP panels move from exotic, low-volume vehicles like the Corvette to more mass market offerings, like the Chevy Cruze. Combined, the removable roof and hood use just 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them, and the process takes just 17 minutes to produce one panel. That is a fast enough turnaround time that it can soon be used en masse.
Yup, your average economy car may one day share body panel technology with the Corvette. Wrap your head around that.
03-04-2013, 08:17 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Interesting, except Tadge stated that the 2014 would actually come in weighing a little more then the C6.
03-04-2013, 08:31 PM
#4
Drifting
03-04-2013, 09:13 PM
#5
Instructor
03-04-2013, 09:31 PM
#6
It was in a video of with the engineers. This has to do with the lorque tube made of cast iron I think for the v4 mode. Also new safety standards have to be met, the lt1 is heavier for fuel efficiency, higher quality interior materials and the infotainment system all adds up to a slightly heavier weight.
03-04-2013, 09:31 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
03-04-2013, 09:35 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
It was in a video of with the engineers. This has to do with the lorque tube made of cast iron I think for the v4 mode. Also new safety standards have to be met, the lt1 is heavier for fuel efficiency, higher quality interior materials and the infotainment system all adds up to a slightly heavier weight.
03-04-2013, 09:42 PM
#9
Moderator
LOL. Cast iron... that would be HEAVY!
03-04-2013, 09:47 PM
#11
Moderator
03-04-2013, 10:04 PM
#13
03-04-2013, 10:19 PM
#15
Race Director
03-04-2013, 10:22 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
Combined, the removable roof and hood use just 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them...
Yup, your average economy car may one day share body panel technology with the Corvette. Wrap your head around that.
03-04-2013, 11:21 PM
#18
Moderator
http://www.lsxtv.com/news/secrets-of...iber-revealed/
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has been revealed to the world with a new aluminum chassis, a new 450 horsepower LT1 engine, and a new world-class interior. But less talked about is the all-new carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body panels, which have helped contribute to an overall lower weight than the outgoing 2013 Corvette. And as we all know, weight is the enemy of speed.
Composites World explains how GM and its subsidiaries developed and built this next-generation body material that is strong, lightweight, and thanks to recent developments, easy to mass produce. Soon it won’t only be the Corvette wearing CFRP panels.
Specifically, the removable roof and hood of the 2014 Corvette Stingray are made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which is exactly what it sounds like. Carbon fiber, as we know, is an expensive and exotic material that is lightweight and very strong, but manufacturing takes a lot of time and money.
A new out-of-autoclave “pressure press” technology invented by Plasan Carbon Composites allows for the CFRP panels to be manufactured 75% faster than previous autoclave parts. The process also requires 80% less post-mold finishing, streamlining the manufacturing process.
This new process could mean that CFRP panels move from exotic, low-volume vehicles like the Corvette to more mass market offerings, like the Chevy Cruze. Combined, the removable roof and hood use just 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them, and the process takes just 17 minutes to produce one panel. That is a fast enough turnaround time that it can soon be used en masse.
Yup, your average economy car may one day share body panel technology with the Corvette. Wrap your head around that.
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has been revealed to the world with a new aluminum chassis, a new 450 horsepower LT1 engine, and a new world-class interior. But less talked about is the all-new carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body panels, which have helped contribute to an overall lower weight than the outgoing 2013 Corvette. And as we all know, weight is the enemy of speed.
Composites World explains how GM and its subsidiaries developed and built this next-generation body material that is strong, lightweight, and thanks to recent developments, easy to mass produce. Soon it won’t only be the Corvette wearing CFRP panels.
Specifically, the removable roof and hood of the 2014 Corvette Stingray are made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which is exactly what it sounds like. Carbon fiber, as we know, is an expensive and exotic material that is lightweight and very strong, but manufacturing takes a lot of time and money.
A new out-of-autoclave “pressure press” technology invented by Plasan Carbon Composites allows for the CFRP panels to be manufactured 75% faster than previous autoclave parts. The process also requires 80% less post-mold finishing, streamlining the manufacturing process.
This new process could mean that CFRP panels move from exotic, low-volume vehicles like the Corvette to more mass market offerings, like the Chevy Cruze. Combined, the removable roof and hood use just 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them, and the process takes just 17 minutes to produce one panel. That is a fast enough turnaround time that it can soon be used en masse.
Yup, your average economy car may one day share body panel technology with the Corvette. Wrap your head around that.
03-04-2013, 11:38 PM
#19
Cruising
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Cool! Out of curiosity, is this similar to the technology that Lamborghini used on the Aventador?
Either way, I like to see greater use of advanced materials like carbon fiber - they make the car faster AND more fuel efficient (win-win for everyone!)
Either way, I like to see greater use of advanced materials like carbon fiber - they make the car faster AND more fuel efficient (win-win for everyone!)
03-04-2013, 11:43 PM
#20
Drifting
While the press release says that the hood and removeable roof panel combined use 18 pounds of carbon fiber between them, that doesn't mean that the hood and roof panel weigh 18 pounds total. Don't forget, there's stuff like hardware (latches, for example) and insulators that will add to the total.
By the way, I had the chance last week to attend a presentation given by the Chief Technology Officer of Plasan Carbon Composites on the out of autoclave process development for the body panels. Good talk. The 17 minute cycle time is limited right now by how they lay up the plies. If need be, additional time can be taken out, but the current cycle time is sufficient for the anticipated required throughput.
By the way, I had the chance last week to attend a presentation given by the Chief Technology Officer of Plasan Carbon Composites on the out of autoclave process development for the body panels. Good talk. The 17 minute cycle time is limited right now by how they lay up the plies. If need be, additional time can be taken out, but the current cycle time is sufficient for the anticipated required throughput.