Corus Hyfo enables development of unique hydroformed crash can
08 Feb 2006
Corus, the international steel company, has won the contract to supply its unique product, the HyfoTM Tubular Blank, for the first hydroformed crash can to go into production in the European automotive market.
The HyfoTM Tubular Blank development team at Corus in the Netherlands, has worked closely with Spanish company Gestamp Automocion, part of Gestamp Group, a leading supplier of components to the automotive industry, to specify material and develop this unique component, which will be supplied to a leading European vehicle manufacturer for a 2006 model launch.
The crash can combines the latest hydroform tube making technology, with advanced knowledge of material behaviour. Unlike more traditional crash cans, which are typically constructed using up to eight components, this design consists of a single hydroforfmed Tubular Blank which is then cut in half to produce a vehicle pair. This technically sophisticated approach reduces both assembly complexity and also the weight of the component itself.
The crash can performs a critical role in car safety and is designed to manage the deceleration pulse on impact, limiting damage at low speed and managing energy absorption so that passenger safety is maximised in a more severe impact.
Maurice van Giezen, General Manager of Corus Hyfo-TRB said: “Hydroforming is an enabling technology that has the capacity to deliver cost effective mass reduced solutions and is increasingly being used in specific and demanding applications by vehicle manufacturers today. The crash can clearly demonstrates the benefits of this technology. We look forward to working with the automotive industry to help meet key challenges of reducing vehicle weight, improving safety and offering manufacturing cost savings”.
Corus will supply The HyfoTM Tubular Blank directly to Metalbages, part of the Gestamp Group, plant in Pamplona in northern Spain where the crash can will be made, before being shipped to the vehicle manufacturer. Volume production of the crash can will commence in early 2006.
Ends
Press release and pictures can be downloaded from websites:
www.automotivepr.com and www.corusautomotive.com
Corus Automotive media enquiries:
Marco Ferrari +44 (0)20 7494 8050 mferrari@automotivepr.com
Belle Wilson +44 (0)20 7494 8050 bwilson@automotivepr.com
Corus Strip Products IJmuiden:
Maurice van Giezen +31 (0) 6 236 17547 maurice.van-giezen@corusgroup.com
