A consortium led by France’s Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques (Cetim, Senlis Cedex; www.cetim.fr) has started producing a carbon fibre-reinforced (CFR) plastic suspension for large-scale use in the automotive sector. Cetim says the pilot plant, located in Senlis, is capable of manufacturing the entire part in less than two minutes.

The suspension, which weighs about 3 kg – half the weight of the traditionally used metal part – was designed in a manner allowing it to be assembled into existing vehicles without having to alter their structure or joints. It consists of two carbon fibre-reinforced organo-sheets, which are simultaneously thermoformed and welded to each other. The developers paid special attention to not having to engage in any additional finishing touches, meaning no material is wasted either.

Also involved in the project was the composite structure sector at France’s aviation R&D centre Onera (Chatillon; www.onera.fr) as well as Peugeot Citroen PSA and tool manufacturer Compose (Bellignat / France; www.compose-tools.com).