Holden - Ve Ute - Workshop Manual - 2010 - 2010

VE Commodore Body Structure Mark Hickson Managing Engineer & System Architect – Body Structure GM Holden iRescue Symposium 24 July 2010 Introduction • • • • • • • VE and WM sedans launched 2006 Ute launched 2007 Wagon launched 2008 Most comprehensive body in white program ever Stiff body structure ranks among best large cars Crash performance, N&V improvements, occupant safety – biggest wins High strength steels – significant increase in usage Introduction • Entire architecture program done virtually • Crash and durability modelling used extensively • Accuracy, cost efficiency and speed to market • Concept and feasibility studies began in 1999 • Benchmarks included Mercedes, Audi and BMW Crash performance • Met offset frontal, full frontal, rear and side impact requirements • 5 star ANCAP rating • Met front crash requirements despite reduced crush space • Use of high-strength steels • Careful design of front rail section and joints • Clearly defined load paths Crash performance • For frontal impact, three load paths created through upper rails, longitudinal rails and engine cradle Crash performance • For side impact, load paths include B pillar, IP cross-beam, three floor cross-members, rocker, door intrusion beam, structural roof bow design Crash performance • For rear impact, strategy involved rear longitudinal rail, rocker and C pillar brace design • Fuel tank relocated to be forward of rear wheels Material utilisation and body stiffness • Weight a key issue • Achieved a very high level of body stiffness • Torsion and bending modes increased enormously – excellent structural feel, sense of safety and solidity • One-piece body side outer • biggest Holden has ever produced • Delivers quality improvements • better fit and finish Automotive steels used in VE 1. Low strength • mild steel & interstitial-free (IF) steel, used for skin panels, small brackets 2. Medium strength • bake hardening, used for door skins 3. Conventional high strength • HSLA / High Strength Low Alloy, used for structural members 4. Advanced high strength • dual phase (DP), recovery annealed, used for rockers, cross-members 5. Ultra high strength • hot stamped / press-hardened, used for Centre Pillar, door beams Automotive steels used in VE Low Strength Medium Strength Advanced High Strength High Strength Ultra High Strength Automotive steels – mechanical properties Grade Low Strength Medium Strength High Strength Advanced High Strength Ultra High Strength Yield Strength (MPa) 140-180 180-300 340-400 550-700 950-1100 Tensile Strength (MPa) 270-330 300 min 400 min 980 min 1200 min Elongation (%) 40 32 22 10 8 Steel Usage – VT to VZ Low Strength 88% Medium Strength 12% Steel Usage – VE Ultra High Strength Steel 3% Low Strength 19% Advanced High Strength Steel 10% Medium Strength 32% High Strength Steel 36% Steel Usage Low Strength Medium Strength High Strength Advanced High Strength Ultra High Strength Aluminium High Strength Steel Usage YS=340-400 MPa HIGH STRENGTH YS=550-700 MPa ADVANCED HIGH STRENGTH YS=950-1100 MPa ULTRA HIGH STRENGTH Steel Usage – Press Hardened / Hot Stamped Ultra high strength steel Centre Pillar Reinforcement YS = 950MPa, TS = 1200MPa Blank is heated above 900˚C, stamped, quenched Enables complex geometry, little springback Process video Total Elongation (%) • • • • • • Centre Pillar Reinforcement Tensile Strength (MPa) Steel Usage – Dual Phase #4 Bar Advanced high strength steel Rocker Inner, #4 Bar, Rail Extn, U/B Brace YS = 650MPa, TS = 980MPa Folding, bending, simple stampings Stress (MPa) • • • • Rocker Inner Rail Extn YS=550-700 MPa DUAL PHASE Strain U/Body Brace Steel Usage – Recovery Annealed • • • • Advanced high strength steel Rocker Outer YS = 700MPa, TS = 900MPa Roll-forming Rocker Outer Steel Usage – HSLA Many underbody panels Yield strength = 340-400MPa Tensile strength > 400MPa Stamping process Stress (MPa) • • • • Strain YS=340-400 MPa HIGH STRENGTH Steel Usage – HSLA Many upper structure panels Yield strength = 340-400MPa Tensile strength > 400MPa Stamping process Stress (MPa) • • • • YS=340-400 MPa HIGH STRENGTH Strain Steel Technology – Tailor Welded Blanks (TWB) • Efficient way of combining different thickness or material grade into a • • • • single component Two blanks (flat sheets) are laser welded together Stamped as a single part in a single die Mass saving, get thickness or strength in the right area Used in front rails, #2 cross-bar, door inner Rear portion (blue) is heavier gauge (2.3mm) Front portion (grey) is lighter gauge (1.8mm) BPTailor 115813-V1 weld line 21 Composite wheel tub • Lightweight spare wheel tub a GM first • Composite – not steel • Glued into steel body • Delivered a weight saving of about 6kg The Future Ultra High Strength Steel Ultra High Strength Steel Low Strength Low Strength Advanced High Strength Steel Advanced High Strength Steel Medium Strength Medium Strength High Strength Steel High Strength Steel Current 2013? Conclusion • Body structure – among best and stiffest in the world • First use of high strength steels for Holden • Next generation will use even more advanced steels Questions?