MIxed MAterials for lighter Products - MIMAP

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project was to create demonstrators using mixed materials to reduce the weight by at least 20%. The weight loss turned out to be more than 30 %. How much the development time was shortened is a little more difficult to say regarding the target of 20%. However, the physical tests of the demonstrators showed that the simulations could predict the results. That was because of the work with obtaining correct material cards for both glue and composites to the calculation models. This accelerates the development process with minimized number of physical tests.

Expected long term effects

At the beginning of the project, the TRL levels were at different levels for the demonstrators, but have all been raised a few levels. For two of the demonstrators it is shown the possibilities of developing new products in multi-material with significantly reduced weight while one demonstrator is in principle ready for field testing. In the plans ahead, the focus is to find suitable calls to take the demonstrators to even higher TRL levels closer to commercial production.

Approach and implementation

The project followed the intended approach to continuously develop the methodology for the rapid design and development of multi material products during the various stages of development of the demonstrators. At the same time, the progress in the project has been reported internally within the organizations as well as between project participants at web meetings as well as internal and external workshops. In addition, the project has been extended due to delays in manufacturing and the ability to get into existing production processes to mount and test the demonstrators.