AUTOMOTIVE OEMS TURN TO STRUCTURAL FOAM MOLDING TO REDUCE WEIGHT AND PRODUCTION COSTS

STRUCTURAL FOAM MOLDING AND AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHTING

Automotive OEM manufacturers are finding themselves turning to structural foam molding in their continued quest to "lightweight" their automotive parts, hoping to reduce both weight and manufacturing costs via the low pressure traditional plastic injection molding alternative. Automotive manufacturers have been exploring the use of plastic parts in order to replace heavier metal parts that can keep manufacturers from meeting the demand for high-mileage, lower impact vehicles (read the rest of this post "Designers Turn to Plastics to Lighten the Load for Automotive Parts") that many consumers are now purchasing, reflecting the public's growing interest in sustainable and economical travel options. Structural foam molding is on the receiving end of growing attention from big players including Ford, BMW, Porsche and VW, for its ability to reduce part weight by up to 20%, and in some cases offering cost savings of up to 15%. Oftentimes, the structural foam molded parts are strong enough to be used in place of fiberglass or even metal parts. Read the rest of this story at Plasticsnews.com. Learn more about KASO's structural foam molding capabilities