Alloys & Composites
- Design and development of bonded aluminium & composite structures
- Specific design and development of composite crash structures
- Design concepts, CAE simulation and optimisation
- Experience of a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes
Bonding Technologies
- Design and development of bonded lightweight aluminium structures
- Design with multiple adhesive joining technologies
- Composite and adhesive material characterisation; static and dynamic testing
- Design technology experience 500-20k units pa
Lightweight Architectures
- Mixed material design solutions
- Whole vehicle weight down reviews and target setting
- Subsystem and system level weight and cost reduction studies
- Part integration and novel architectures
Value-added that Lotus can provide
Create multi-functional high performing body structure modules
Create complete “structures on wheels”
Develop and apply latest structural composite technologies for improved weight stiffness and packaging
Facilities
Manufacturing
- Over 75,000 bonded vehicle structures supplied to date with zero failures in the field
- Design, engineering, supply chain management and logistics
- Manufacturing and assembly
- CNC machining, PLC controlled saws, hydraulic presses, stretch forming and inspection
- Bonded, welded, mechanically fixed structures
- Sheet, cast and extruded aluminium
- Mixed material process solutions
- Aluminium, magnesium and composite assembly
Anodising
- Sulphuric acid anodising
- Fully automated anodising
- Fully automated powder coating
- Full process control and traceability
Value Add
- Joining / bonding technology expertise and technical ‘know-how’ in bonded aluminium chassis structures
- Lightweight materials knowledge in aluminium, magnesium, thermoplastic materials, composites including carbon fibre