Altair Named Winners of Enlighten Awards

Altair announces the winners of the 2020 Altair Enlighten Awards. Presented jointly with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), the 8th Annual Enlighten Awards acknowledge the world’s best initiatives to reduce vehicle weight and meet emissions targets, inspiring breakthrough advancements that push the industry toward a more sustainable future, the company says.

“As we sit at the crossroads of science, engineering, art and design, creating a more sustainable future is the essence of Altair as we are a pioneer in lightweighting technologies and methodologies,” says James Scapa, founder and chief executive officer of Altair. 

Presented in four categories, the Enlighten Awards recognize commercial automotive lightweighting achievements and technologies. The 2020 winners include:

• Full Vehicle winner: Harley Davidson Motor Company used electrification to improve energy capacity of its Livewire electric motorcycle by 90%, while increasing the ratio of energy capacity to vehicle mass by 60%. In addition to further improvements, this initiative established mass and stiffness design and optimization practices for future motorcycle programs. 
• Runner-up: Nissan for its new Sentra 2020 platform, designed to dramatically improve safety and dynamic performance without increasing weight by using simulation to place the right materials in the right locations.
• Module winner: An industry first, Toyota created a freestanding two-occupant injection molded back-frame with no molded reinforcement for the 2021 Sienna. It consolidated 15 components to one part with one injection, driving down costs by 15%, reducing mass by 30% and improving safety performance by two times.
• Runner-up: ZF created the first-to-market electric park brake (EPB) with more than 75 million vehicles fitted with EPB for world roadways. The Heavy Duty EPB offers a weight savings of 25 lbs. or more for large trucks and SUVs when compared to conventional drum-in-hat park brakes.
• Enabling Technology winner: Mubea developed a glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) Tension Leaf Spring with weight savings of up to 75% compared to a standard multi-layer steel spring. The company used a scripted and automated workflow that begins from a parametrized spring model in which all spring parameters can be adapted.
• Runner-up: DuPont’s BETASEAL bonded thermoplastic liftgates for its use of BETASEAL X2500 structural adhesive, which quickly joins thermoplastic inner and outer panels and enables modular lightweight assembly. The company’s Magna thermoplastic liftgates bonded with BETASEAL X2500 structural adhesive have realized a 20%-30% weight savings compared to welded steel liftgates.
• Honorable mention: Mazda’s computer-aided engineering (CAE) multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO) methodology captures top technology trends by applying simulation-driven design and data analytics for product design.
• Future of Lightweighting winner: Marelli developed a new advanced sheet compression molded suspension steering knuckle that ensures a 25% mass savings compared to the aluminum version used on the Jeep Compass and a 50% savings compared to the cast iron version.
• Runner-up: Nissan’s ultimate lightweight aluminum/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) body side panel using topology design reduced weight by using a multi-material structure of aluminum and short fiber carbon fiber reinforced thermal plastic (CFRTP). Compared to conventional steel body side panels, it can reduce weight by approximately 50%.

“Each year the entries are more and more impressive, making it increasingly difficult to select the winners as entrants are making great strides in lightweighting, and using inventive approaches through simulation and materials,” says Richard Yen, Altair senior vice president, global industry verticals.

“Design optimization is critical for every new product in the automotive industry and lightweighting is a key component. We are honored to collaborate with Altair in acknowledging these design innovations in the automotive sector,” says Carla Bailo, president and chief executive officer at CAR. “CAR’s multidisciplinary approach gives us a clear viewpoint on critical issues facing the global automotive industry and it is thrilling to see advancements in lightweighting making an immediate impact.”

Winners were announced in an awards ceremony on August 4, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. ET, which can be viewed for free here. For more information on the Enlighten Award, click here. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.