Continental Structural Plastics selects Siemens PLM Software to develop automotive advanced composites; application in Chevy Spark

29 October 2012

Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) has selected Siemens PLM Software’s Fibersim portfolio of software for composites engineering to support the production launch of the Chevy Spark battery enclosure. Fibersim will also be used to design and manufacture composites for other automotive applications, such as Class A surfaces and structural components.

The automotive industry is currently undergoing a transformation as it considers the role of advanced composites in more areas of the volume production of vehicles. A variety of materials and processes are being evaluated to determine suitability. CSP is implementing Fibersim so we can establish ourselves as a resource to the industry and as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner while the various technologies are vetted. This will provide CSP with the opportunity to tailor our materials and processes to the needs of the industry.

For instance, CSP is developing prepreg compression molding technology to support advanced composite structures. The ability to accurately predict fiber orientation is critical to predicting the performance of these structures, and the ability to predict drape is critical to our manufacturing process. Fibersim enables us to do just that and, as a result, supports our advancement of new product and manufacturing technologies based on continuous fiber formats.

—Chris Johnston, the director of technology and processes at CSP

Fibersim will allow CSP to make timely, informed decisions to facilitate the engineering, analysis and design of advanced composites structures and to support the manufacturing process, which extends from developing laminate structures to generating flat patterns and documentation.