Audi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 28

These days, each car is like a three-
These days, each car is like a three-
dimensional puzzle. Even the smallest
dimensional puzzle. Even the smallest
part has to perform a specific function.
part has to perform a specific function.
Audi engineers can use their large se-
Audi engineers can use their large se-
lection of industrial materials and
lection of industrial materials and
applicable computer programs to
applicable computer programs to
virtually explore which material is best
virtually explore which material is best
suited for a given part – and whether
suited for a given part – and whether
these “building blocks” can be assem-
these “building blocks” can be assem-
bled into a total product without driv-
bled into a total product without driv-
ing the production line workers or
ing the production line workers or
robots crazy. This approach makes it
robots crazy. This approach makes it
possible to determine the very best
possible to determine the very best
combination of materials needed to
combination of materials needed to
ensure a stylish and profitable design
ensure a stylish and profitable design
very early on in development.
very early on in development.
Today’s experts
Today’s experts
at the Aluminum and
at the Aluminum and
Lightweight Design Center benefit
Lightweight Design Center benefit
from over a decade’s worth of experi-
from over a decade’s worth of experi-
ence in lightweight design projects.
ence in lightweight design projects.
Since the successful 1994 debut of
Since the successful 1994 debut of
the Audi Space Frame on the A8, five
the Audi Space Frame on the A8, five
further models – including the R8 –
further models – including the R8 –
have been developed and produced,
have been developed and produced,
and the silver-gray metal has been
and the silver-gray metal has been
successfully processed into different
successfully processed into different
hollow extrusions, heated and cast in
hollow extrusions, heated and cast in
molds, or rolled into sheets of various
molds, or rolled into sheets of various
thicknesses and sizes.
thicknesses and sizes.
Engineers today
Engineers today
are using all varia-
are using all varia-
tions of these different components
tions of these different components
to develop an appropriate architec-
to develop an appropriate architec-
ture. In the past several years, the
ture. In the past several years, the
Audi Group has taken great strides in
Audi Group has taken great strides in
its materials and production compe-
its materials and production compe-
tencies, making it a technological
tencies, making it a technological
leader and pacesetter in automotive
leader and pacesetter in automotive
lightweight design. 70 vehicles a day
lightweight design. 70 vehicles a day
“Hybrid design simply
“Hybrid design simply
means that we use
means that we use
the best of all material
the best of all material
worlds.”
worlds.”
Heinrich Timm, Head of the Aluminum and
Heinrich Timm, Head of the Aluminum and
Lightweight Design Center, AUDI AG
Lightweight Design Center, AUDI AG
LIGHTWEIGHT PIONEERS
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24
24
were built of the first A8: This played
were built of the first A8: This played
a key role in changing the brand im-
a key role in changing the brand im-
age and represented a quantum leap
age and represented a quantum leap
in modernization. Today, as many as
in modernization. Today, as many as
110 units of the new A8 roll off the
110 units of the new A8 roll off the
assembly line each day – in part be-
assembly line each day – in part be-
cause the number of components has
cause the number of components has
been reduced by 25 percent. This was
been reduced by 25 percent. This was
made possible by using more complex
made possible by using more complex
cast parts to perform multiple func-
cast parts to perform multiple func-
tions – similar to the nodes in a bam-
tions – similar to the nodes in a bam-
boo stick or a blade of straw.
boo stick or a blade of straw.
In keeping with what
In keeping with what
Timm calls “the
Timm calls “the
best of all material worlds,” the trend
best of all material worlds,” the trend
in lightweight design also encom-
in lightweight design also encom-
passes “hybrid design,” or compound
passes “hybrid design,” or compound
solutions like those used on the R8.
solutions like those used on the R8.
It’s a “wild” mixture of materials: The
It’s a “wild” mixture of materials: The
body and roof are made of aluminum,
body and roof are made of aluminum,
the front fenders and sill trims of
the front fenders and sill trims of
plastics, the rear frame of magnesium
plastics, the rear frame of magnesium
(which is even lighter than aluminum)
(which is even lighter than aluminum)
and the engine hood of composite
and the engine hood of composite
materials. Today’s lightweight design
materials. Today’s lightweight design
of motor vehicles is innovative high-
of motor vehicles is innovative high-
performance technology on a par with
performance technology on a par with
developments in aviation and space
developments in aviation and space
travel. Though there are some analo-
travel. Though there are some analo-
gies, the two industries are far from
gies, the two industries are far from
identical: Production volumes of even
identical: Production volumes of even
the most successful aircraft don’t
the most successful aircraft don’t
compare with large-scale or even
compare with large-scale or even
smaller-scale production volumes of
smaller-scale production volumes of
automobiles. Being at the forefront of
automobiles. Being at the forefront of
research and production is an espe-
research and production is an espe-
cially powerful motivator for the
cially powerful motivator for the
employees of the Aluminum and
employees of the Aluminum and
Lightweight Design Center, and their
Lightweight Design Center, and their
enthusiasm is positively contagious.
enthusiasm is positively contagious.
Vorsprung
Vorsprung
Pioneering spirit
Pioneering spirit
Science journalist and book author Klaus
Science journalist and book author Klaus
Jopp writes for Financial Times Deutschland,
Jopp writes for Financial Times Deutschland,
Welt and Wirtschaftswoche.
Welt and Wirtschaftswoche.