Lightweight Design – Holistic Evaluation for Efficient Technology Strategies

Authors

Alexander Busse, MSc., Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lutz Eckstein,
Institute for Automotive Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen;
Dipl.-Kfm. Ingo Olschewski,
Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbH, Aachen

Summary

The present paper addresses a methodology to evaluate lightweight design as an important instrument to comply with the requirements of future vehicle generations.
The innovation process for improved and new technologies is shaped by both, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with the responsibility for the complete vehicle and suppliers with different vertical integration levels in the value chain. A transparent evaluation in the early development phase of innovations as part of an efficient technology strategy is of high importance in this complex innovation- and value-added structure. However, against the background of increasing relevance of ecological sustainability, lightweight design has to be evaluated along its entire life cycle. Therefore a holistic analysis method for lightweight design is presented and applied.

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