WORKSHOP #2 | Fastening & Joining: New & Alternative Methods

Whether vehicles are powered by gas, batteries or a combination of the two, energy efficiency is a priority in the automotive industry today. Weight reduction, or lightweighting, is one way that automakers are trying to make vehicles more energy efficient. Engineers are incorporating a raft of new materials in vehicle designs, including composites, engineering plastics, aluminum, and higher strength, lighter-weight steels. According to the Center for Automotive Research, various steel alloys accounted for some 65 percent of the weight of an average vehicle structure in 2020. Aluminum alloys represented 13 percent, while plastics and composites made up 6 percent. By 2040, however, steel alloys will account for only 46 percent of that weight, while aluminum alloys will comprise 26 percent and plastics and composites will represent 15 percent. Assembling this hodge-podge of materials will require new ways of fastening and joining. Tried-and-true technologies like resistance spot welding will no longer be able to do the job. In this workshop, you’ll learn about the latest technologies for joining them.

         

REGISTRATION FEE: $20 before 9/30/21 | $25 before 10/15/21 | $30 after 10/15/21

 

1:00 – 1:35 PM CT

Adhesives for Lightweighting
Stephen Webb, Senior Applications Engineer, Parker LORD

 

1:35 – 2:10 PM CT

Clinching and Self-Pierce Riveting for Mixed-Material Assembly
Byron Selorme, President, PressLock Technologies

 

2:10 – 2:45 PM CT

Flow-Drill Screws for Mixed-Material Assembly
Boris Baeumler, Vice President of Technology, DEPRAG Inc.

 

2:45 - 2:55 PM CT

Break

 

2:55 – 3:30 PM CT

Lasers for Lightweighting
Pierson Cheng, Automotive Industry Manager, TRUMPF Inc.

 

3:30 - 4:00 PM CT

Open Discussion and Q&A with Workshop Panelists

MODERATOR: Jim Camillo, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY