LISI Automotive
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LISI 2013
REDUCINGOURENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Anewcoating to replace
zinc-nickel
Environmental constraintsoften form real opportunities
for innovation. However, adapting and thinking diffe-
rently, requireastrongcapacity for forward thinkingand
a lot of perseverance, because research is often a long-
term activity. Launched in 2006 at the initiative of LISI
AUTOMOTIVE, IZAC research program is part of these
in-depth efforts. Intended to identify alternatives to the
useof substances found in the zinc-nickel coatings used
on some screws andprohibitedunder regulationReach,
IZACenabled theemergenceofan innovativesolution.A
newpatented coating cameout of theGroup’s laborato-
ries in2013. Itwill takeanother fiveyears to industrialize
itsproductionandobtainaqualificationby theautomo-
bile constructors associated with the project from the
outset.
Modelingtheaccidental
unscrewingofassemblies
PRODUCINGMOREEFFECTIVELY
Improvingoperational
efficiency
Improving processes and production methods is the
subject of actions agreed with the operational teams.
Research effort focuses mainly on removing or
optimizing certain low value-added operations, as, for
example, the removal of heat treatment after forging
certaingroups of nuts. Another studyhelped todevelop
a better understanding within the Division of the
relationship between the development of steels by
steel manufacturers and their performance during cold
headingandmachiningoperations.
DEVELOPINGFASTER
Numericalsimulation
at the serviceof innovation
LISI AUTOMOTIVE continued developing its expertise in numerical simulation.
Calculation of products andmodeling of processes enables acceleration in the
phases of development and optimization from conception to the production
of finished products. Thesemethods significantly reduce the response times of
theDivision to thedemands of its customers.After studies in2012and2013, the
nonlinear calculation of clipped fasteners and screw connections, for example,
is now carried out on NX-NASTRAN. Structure calculations, modeling of steel
deformationandplastic injectionoperationsarenowsimulatedbycomputer.
A study on modeling of accidental
unscrewing
of
assembling
is
being
finalized. It is carried out in partnership
with an automobile manufacturer and a
university research center andmust allow
improvement of calculationmethods and
propose effective solutions to prevent
spontaneousunscrewing.
