High-Performance Composites - July 2007
Focus on Design: Composite Engine Subframe a Popular Option on Open-Cockpit Supercar
Carbon/epoxy version of the standard steel subframe meets performance goals and reduces vehicle weight in Lamborghini’s coupé-to-convertible conversion program.
When legendary automaker Automobili Lamborghini SpA (Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy) designed a roadster version of its Murciélago Coupé, a significant engineering challenge was posed by the removal of the supercar’s roof to create the open cockpit. That change, alone, reduced the vehicle’s torsional rigidity by 50 percent or more, leading to concurrent loss of handling “crispness” and road “feel.” Like the Coupé, the Roadster has a nearly all-composite body — exceptions are the gull-wing doors and the pillar structure — over a tubular steel space frame chassis. To compensate for removal of the Coupé roof, the Roadster was significantly redesigned to add back in the lost torsional stiffness below the beltline. New structural members were added and critical components were stiffened. Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers were used to enhance structural components in the lower integrated chassis substructures, including the transmission tunnel, floor pans, wheel well panels and doorsill stiffeners. But the most important modification was the addition of a complex subframe that forms a cage over the car’s rear-mounted engine, spanning the engine bay. This component helps prevent buckling and twisting during severe impacts by stiffening the vehicle’s space frame and resisting cyclic loading from rear suspension attachments. It also is removable to permit engine service. Read More ...
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About the Cover
When Automobili Lamborghini SpA (Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy) designed a roadster version of its V-12-powered Murcieélago Coupeé, this carbon/epoxy engine bay subframe helped recover torsional rigidity lost when the roof structure was removed to create the car’s open cockpit.
Editorial
Columns
Speaking Out: Composite Structural Design and Manufacturing ... the Times are A-Changin'
Market Trends: Standing on the Threshold
Testing Tech: Test Method Globalization and Harmonization
News
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Raytheon Wins Darpa Composites Contract
Airbus Chief Calls for Greener Aerospace Industry
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Prepregger J.D. Lincoln Acquired by Umeco
GKN Announces $15 Million Deal for F-22A Parts
New Nanotube-based Nonwoven Breathes Life into Promise of Nanocomposites
Quickstep Inks Deals With Eurocopter, GE Aviation, Sikorsky
Adam Aircraft Corrals Big Chinese Order As Certification Nears
Gurit Readies Chinese Prepreg Facility for Wind Energy Market
Biz Brief: University of Dayton Research Institute
Application
Self-healing Composite Prototyped for NASA
New Products & Literature
Phenolic Prepreg for Interiors
In-Situ Temperature Monitoring
Sprayable Vacuum Bag, Film Adhesive
Automatic Pattern Digitization
