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For a new vehicle project, FRIMO will serve as
the system partner of BMW Group and deliver the complete package of
technologies required for the cockpit manufacturing. The major project also
covers the entire prototype phase, including process adjustment and validation
right through to the production of the first assemblies in the FRIMO TechCenter
in Lotte.
“As a system partner for this project, FRIMO is ideally qualified to implement the customer requirements because we can provide all of the necessary technological expertise from a single source. We see this as a confirmation of our innovative force as a technology partner to the automotive industry,” says Hans-Günter Bayer, CEO of the FRIMO Group.
The cockpit of the new vehicle project is a complex component assembly with a modular configuration. High-quality surfaces in genuine leather or TEPEO 2® characterize the interior design. The specialists from FRIMO are responsible for developing and supplying tooling and machinery for all technologies used in the manufacturing process. This includes an extensive range of equipment for the thermoforming, foaming and leather laminating of the different component variants. Technologies for the production of invisible tear lines for front passenger airbags or for the final trimming of the components by means of robot-assisted systems as well as for joining the plastic components are also part of the project.
With the leather variant, a so-called “dummy skin” made of silicone is used. In this process the dummy skin is pulled off after the instrument panel has been back foamed. The dummy skin is ultimately replaced by the surface material, e.g. leather or synthetic leather. The advantage of this highly cost-effective solution lies in the fact that a single tool can be used to produce several variants of instrument panels for a model series.
The use of FRIMO FlexTrim machines for milling contours is optimally suited for a
flexible ramp-up to full-scale series production and for the processing of
different variants. In the area of joining technology, FRIMO is supplying
state-of-the-art JoinLine infrared
welding units, including the associated tooling technology. With the
thermoforming and foaming molds, particular emphasis is being placed on the
ability to process several parts in a single mold. The project requires high
flexibility and productivity, as both prototypes and series production
components, RHD and LHD, and also different colors must be produced.
“In close cooperation with development, manufacturing and the TechCenter, we are in a position not only to develop the technologies for all of the required processes, but also are able to match them to one another as well as optimize and validate them”, says Dr. Florian Meyer, Head of the FRIMO TechCenter in Lotte
“This shows once again that we at FRIMO have implemented a strategically correct approach for the future,” emphasizes Hans-Günter Bayer. “With our TechCenter strategy, we are consistently focusing on the needs of the OEMs and the market. This enables us to provide our customers with bundled expertise unlike any other on the market.” And he adds: “This bundling of technologies and intelligent interaction makes it possible for us to satisfy high quality demands while minimizing costs at the same time.”
contact person
Mr. Franz Streibl
streibl.f@frimo.com
Tel.: +49 (0) 8654 4985 - 27
Fax: +49 (0) 8654 4985 - 727
