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Nissan to partake in Sigmatex's Lightweighting Programme

05 Feb '16

2 min read

Sigmatex, the world's leading independent converter of carbon fibre, has announced that automobile manufacturer, Nissan, is set to participate in the Lightweighting Programme, to produce a prototype material structure to be used in the floor of its future vehicles.

Nissan will be working in collaboration with a consortium of automotive manufacturers and research bodies which are part of the Lightweighting Excellence Programme, led by Sigmatex. Working alongside the UK supply chain, Nissan will draw on materials and techniques used in the motorsport and aerospace industries.

Nissan's efforts with the 'Lightweighting Programme' will ultimately improve performance, fuel consumption, and counteract the weight of the increasing amount of technology being built into vehicles. The prototype being produced will test the viability of the new part, according to a press release.

The Lightweighting Excellence (LX) Programme is a strategic co-operation led by Sigmatex and supported by Axillium Research, in partnership with Cranfield University, Engenuity, Expert Tooling & Automation, Granta Design, Group Rhodes, LMAT, Surface Generation and Tilsatec. The programme seeks to enhance the capability within the UK automotive supply chain to manufacture composite components in medium to high volumes.

David Moss, vice president, vehicle design & development, NTCE said, “The next 12 months promise to bring not resolutions, but revolutions, as the brand marches forward with yet more 'Innovation That Excites'. This programme is another demonstration of our commitment to developing the cars of tomorrow, today. We know the cars of the future will need to be lighter, stronger and more efficient, that is why we are launching our prototype programme in collaboration with research and industry bodies across the UK. This programme intends to produce a new manufacturing process that will revolutionise the industry.” (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India