Mazda Employees Receive JSAE Award for Development of High-Strength Plastic Used in Functional Integration Modules
JapanCorp: <http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> Mazda Employees Receive JSAE Award for Development of High-Strength Plastic Used in Functional Integration Modules Tokyo, Japan, Apr. 22, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda employees will receive a Technological Development Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE). The award is presented to the engineers to honor their work in the development of functional integration modules using high-strength plastics with long glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene material and injection molding process. This technology features composition of materials and an original injection molding process aimed at overcoming the reduced strength resulting from damage to the glass-fiber during the molding process of glass-fiber reinforced materials. With this technology, many parts can be integrated in module carriers with the increased design freedom made possible by injection molding. This has contributed to significant cost and weight reduction. In addition to conventional module production that Mazda has employed to achieve high levels of quality and productivity, the automaker has now successfully developed the next generation of "functional integration modules" with the application of this new technology. Module carriers are already employed in the Atenza and the Demio, both launched last year, as well as the RX-8, which was launched on April 9, 2003. "This technology achieves significant reductions in both weight and costs, as well as enhanced productivity, which are highly sought-after factors for vehicles today," said Mazda Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Kei Kado. "The materials, process and module design teams successfully combined their engineering skills to develop this new technology. Their work opens up exciting new possibilities in vehicle production methods and will significantly contribute to the advancement of automotive technologies. This award gives us increased confidence in pursuing the development of further technologies in the future." The Technological Development Award recognizes individuals who have developed a new technology or product that contributes to the advancement of automotive technologies. JSAE currently presents a total of six awards and this is the sixth time Mazda employees have received a Technological Development Award. Previous award-winning technologies include "Development of the Vehicle-Speed-Sensing Four-Wheel Steering System" and "Development of Diesel Engine Pistons Using Air-Assisted Infiltration Process." The JSAE award ceremony will be held on May 22 in Pacifico Yokohama Technology to receive the award "Development of functional integration modules using high-strength plastics with long glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene material and injection molding process." Award winners Takahiro Tochioka: Assistant Manager, Technical Research Center. Chikashi Kawamoto: Manager, Exterior Components Development Group. Masanori Ogawa: Assistant Manager, Vehicle Service & Program Department. Kenichiro Sugimoto: Assistant Manager, Advanced Production Engineering Group. Main features of the technology In order to reduce the damage to the glass-fiber during the molding process, Mazda uses a polypropylene base material with extremely low viscosity and decreases the amount of pressure applied to the glass-fiber. This new plastic delivers the same or greater level of strength compared to the glass-mat reinforced thermoplastics based polypropylene, which is conventionally used for module carriers. The plastic also provides increased design freedom during the injection molding process. Consequently, Mazda has successfully integrated functions by modularising many parts, which was previously recognised as difficult. At the same time, a significant cost and weight reduction has been achieved. About Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda Motor Corporation was established in 1920 and is one of Japan's leading automobile manufacturers. With its headquarters in Hiroshima, Mazda has two plants in Japan and manufacturing and assembly operations in sixteen other countries. Mazda cars and trucks are sold in more than one hundred and thirty countries. Ford Motor and Mazda agreed to collaborate in 1979, Ford Motor Company started investing in Mazda and increased its shareholding to 33.39% as of March 31, 1999. For further information, please visit the Mazda Motor Corporation home page at: www.mazda.com/flash.html <http://www.mazda.com/flash.html> Contact Mazda Motor Corporation Mr K. Yoshitake yoshitake.k@tky.mazda.co.jp +81-3-3508-5022 _____ Apr. 22, 2003, 16:14 (JST) Source: Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda Motor Corporation www.mazda.com/flash.html <http://www.mazda.com/flash.html> From the Japan Corporate News Network www.japancorp.net <http://www.japancorp.net> Topic: Awards received Sectors: Auto Manufacturing, Auto Parts & Equipment, Auto R and D, Safety © 2003 JCN Newswire. A division of Japan Corporate News Network KK. All rights reserved.