Composite materials have only recently been introduced into automotive production; how-ever Snop is ready to take the plunge ! It all began in 2015. At that time the company, which specialises in the stamping of metal automotive bumper beams wanted to assess the possibilities of using com-posite materials in this field. It therefore partnered with Cetim to create an industrial demonstrator based on the Quilted Stratum Process (QSP), a high-speed thermoforming pilot line. This line relies on a patented technology that stems from scientific work conducted with the Comp’Innov laboratory and Onera, and its industrial development is carried out in partnership with three French mechanical engineering companies, Pinette Emidecau Industrie (PEI), Compose and Loiretech.
A win-win project
“This project was carried out in close coordination with Cetim and enabled us to in-crease our skills in composite materials while at the same time transferring our bender beam know-how to Cetim’s experts,” explained Bernard Hugot, Process innovation Manager at Snop. “We view this sharing of expertise as a means of always staying sharp and at the cutting edge of research in these emerging technolo-gies. This is a crucial issue as composite materials are in-creasingly being used in automotive production and production rates are on the decline, thereby enhancing the appeal of this solution”.
What matters is being ready
For the time being the compa-ny has decided to invest in a new hot stamping machine, despite several conclusive impact tests. “This is an entirely strategic decision supported by the company’s prospects on its various markets,” Bernard Hugot continued. “The future of com-posite materials is a bright one. The automotive market is currently undergoing radical changes and technologies are constantly evolving, it is therefore fundamental that companies stand ready so they are able to act when all the conditions are in place.”
