Development of the laser based technology for joining dissimilar materials between metal and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) for the weight reduction of automotive parts.

MAEDA KOGYO CO., LTD

Development of the laser based technology for joining dissimilar materials between metal and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) for the weight reduction of automotive parts.

Technical Classification:: [ Joining ]
Products:: [ Products / Processed Products ] [ Service ]
Keyword:: [ fabrication system ] [ laser-assisted fabrication with diffractive optical elements ] [ Laser-based joining technology ]

Point of the Proposed Technology

Weight reduction of the vehicle is essential for improving the fuel economy and energy saving. At present use of CFRP is evaluated as the light weight material. In the present study the laser-based technology for "joining dissimilar materials using the elastomer as the insert material" is applied to develop the practical system to join metals with CFRP.

Effect(s)

Weight reduction by 50%

Conventional Technology

【Fixation with bolt and nut】
　・Requiring a larger number of parts⇒ bolt, nut, O-ring, collar, etc.
　・Requiring many steps for fixation⇒collar insertion, compressing of the O-ring, and tightening with a bolt

New Technology

【Laser welding】
　・An insert material (thermoplastic elastomer) is placed between joining objects followed by laser heating to join the objects.
　・Laser-assisted fabrication by the diffractive optical element (DOE) ⇒ enabling uniform heating of a large area

Technology Deployment and Cooperation

Development Stage	Prototyping / experimental Stage (to be completed in 2018/3; progress: 80%)
Intellectual Property Right	None
Joint Researchers (their role)	Osaka University: for simulation analysis of the laser beam profiles for optimization to propose the better fabrication process. 　　　　　　　　　 National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology: for evaluation and analysis of the joining section and development of the non-destructive testing method. Industrial Technology Center of Okayama Prefecture: for evaluation and analysis of the joining section to propose a method to improve the strength at joint.
Example of Application	・Body components and interior components in vehicle ・Interior components in office automation equipment
Technical Problems	・Identification of markets for products necessitating the present technology, understanding of properties and durability required for these products ・Strength testing including durability and establishment of the practical technology including countermeasures
Collaborator needed to Improve	・The company of developing the joining technology between CFRP and metal for commercial products. ・University and research institution capable of evaluating the properties of welding products between dissimilar materials and studying related technologies.
Technical WEB page	http://www.maeda-kogyo.co.jp/original4.html

Inquiries

Personnel / Department	/ PRESIDENT, TOSHIMITSU MAEDA
Address	22, YON-NO-SIMO, NAWA-MACHI, TOKAI-SHI, AICHI-KEN, 476-0002, JAPAN
Contact	TEL: +81-52-604-8650 FAX: +81-52-601-6353

Outline of Company and Organization

Location	476-0002 22, YON-NO-SIMO, NAWA-MACHI, TOKAI-SHI, AICHI-KEN, 476-0002, JAPAN
Contact	TEL: +81-52-604-8650 FAX: +81-52-601-6353
Capital / No. of Employees	35,000,000 yen・37 employees
Product Line	Service of laser processing requested
Major Customers	Aichi Steel Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Aishin Seiki Co., Ltd.,
Overseas Base(s)	None
Certification	ISO9001, ISO9100
Company/Organization WEB page	http://www.maeda-kogyo.co.jp/original7.html

Update date: 2020/2/2