BODY WEIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 28

BODY WEIGHT

REDUCTION POSSIBILITIES

Possibilities for reducing weight in body construction and thereby decreasing costs were dealt with recently in a paper read before the Detroit section of the Society of Automotive Engineers. ' ■: : ■

It was stated that use of synthetic glass would help fo cut down weight.

Sorne'of the sheet metal of the'body could be eliminated -and other steel parts modified. - Doors arid seats offered opportunity for weight reduction.- - - . - - .-...'

"Of the 9001b of body weight 3001b is the shell structure minus all doors, leaving 6001b of weight not used for structure. The doors account for 2551b, seats 1751b, glass 551b,-trimmings, carpets,- insulation, etc., 1701b. Sheet metal which has no structural bearing but is used only to give a smooth appearance weighs 1801b.

The lecturer predicted a'-great deal of .alteration" in the frameless body as •at.■present utilised as. the technique of using very light metal for strength is-' developed. •' The motor body industry, he said, had not been developed as. extensively as aeroplane construction.. . '• ' ' •'-, •■■■•' -.'■

The science of welding developed ability to save weight because materials did not overlap, and bolts, nuts, and rivets were riot needed. 'Welding.was responsible • for one-piece; roofs and back panels without; excessive weight arid waste.. ;.. ■•■■-.

The construction of a car, however, was ; still influenced to a very great extent by the "stylist," i.e.,,'the design for appearance; quite apart from engineering and, body building design. Every time the style was changed construction had to be adjusted to meet it. •-. It. was .because of that-that the car designer could not adopt radical changes in his own department.