Automotive & EV
Automotive & EV
HFQ® Technology is a new aluminium hot forming solution for sustainable alloys benefitting weight, complexity, cost & quality
Our unique lightweighting technology platform of aluminium hot stamping simulation and process know-how and expert support services offer OEMs a new approach to upper structures, closures, chassis and battery enclosure design for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). HFQ® can offer a solution to reduce cost, weight, fuel consumption, embedded carbon, assembly complexity and dimensional problems associated with springback. The deep forming and tight radii possible with HFQ® also allow vehicle designers more scope for innovative body styles.
HFQ® aluminium hot stamping offers a proven competitive and highly capable process for the manufacture of parts for platforms of 500 to over 1 million units per annum. HFQ Technology Associates’ applications and processing experts can provide the know-how to OEMs for their own component manufacture, or to accredited tiers.
A solution for complex structures
Cold forming of ultra-high strength 6xxx and 7xxx series alloys has severe limitations because of risk of splitting, spring-back (and poor dimensional capability) and the limited potential to integrate features. Often, the only solution is for designers to fabricate complex cold formed parts in several components, incurring opex and capex costs for added design, logistics, sourcing and joining stations. In addition, sealing and aesthetics can be compromised.
By harnessing the extreme formability of aluminium in a hot viscoelastic state, HFQ® enables the forming of complex deep draw geometries from ultra-high strength alloys, which in turn allows the use of thinner gauge sheet, resulting in lighter structures.
Against steel structures, efficiently designed HFQ® components can achieve over 40% weight savings. When compared with cold formed aluminium parts, HFQ® parts have often resulted in weight savings exceeding 20%. Where HFQ® replaces aluminium castings, weight reductions of 30% are typical.
Reducing part count and total cost
By reducing part count on complex sections of a vehicle, HFQ® Technology simplifies manufacturing operations, design effort, shortens lead times, and enhances overall production efficiency. We have various case studies that have demonstrated the integration of 3 or even 5 parts into a single component, resulting in 20-40% reduction in tooling cost and significant other savings in assembly operations, capex and space.
Part integration, via HFQ®, is also a contributor to weight reduction, greater stiffness and higher material efficiency.
Continuous innovation of HFQ®
HFQ Technology Associates are now working with leading automotive OEMs to introduce ultra-high or fully recycled alloys onto existing and new platforms. We can provide test coupons and work with relevant aluminium suppliers to accredit their grades for the HFQ® process. Aluminium components offer significant potential for use of recycled material and carbon reduction versus other materials such as composite or plastic. Embedded carbon savings could be up to 95%, depending on the source and grade.
Other developments in process include the possibility to apply HFQ® for the forming of exterior body panels, which may offer designers the opportunity of body styling otherwise impossible through cold forming methods, or very costly and volume restrictive when made by superplastic forming.
Learn more …
For more information, you can delve into our wide range of case studies, showcasing real-world applications and in-depth design analyses of HFQ® automotive structures. HFQ Technologies’ team of experienced applications and simulation engineers will be pleased to review design concepts and give indications of feasibility and cost, including suggestions on design modifications to improve manufacturability.
Please contact us for a quick assessment of your light-weighting challenge.
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
Complex, single piece HFQ® door inner
The manufacture of complex, deep drawn, single piece door inners is enabled by HFQ®.
Case Studies
HFQ® Single Piece Deep Draw Door Inner
Case Studies
HFQ® ASTON MARTIN SIDEWALL
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
Forming of HFQ® complex B pillar panels
We are a manufacturer of ultra-high strength, lightweight HFQ® B pillars.
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
Manufacture of HFQ® Aston Martin D Pillar with tight radii and deep draw
This part shows how HFQ® enables deep draw and tight radii, offering designers much needed design flexibility and package efficiency.
Case Studies
HFQ® BATTERY TRAYS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Case Studies
HFQ® ASTON MARTIN D PILLAR
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
World’s first HFQ® upper structure for Aston Martin DBX
This is the world’s first (in the industry) HFQ® upper structure for the Aston Martin DBX produced in 6082 alloy.
Case Studies
HFQ® FRICTION STIR WELDED (FSW) MORGAN CROSS MEMBER
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
HFQ® as an enabler for forming aluminium, tailor welded blanks
HFQ® can form through weld zones without deterioration in properties or cracking.
HFQ® Applications Collection | Videos
Highly Complex Side Wall Pressing for the Aston Martin DB11 Convertible
This is a great example of how we can merge multiple cold form parts into a single press blank.
Case Studies
HFQ® High Strength DB11 A Pillar
Be an HFQ® supply partner
Are you an automotive tier, engineering services provider, aluminium supplier or manufacturing components supplier? Connect with the HFQ® Partner Network to explore partnership opportunities with HFQ® Technology. Together, we are pioneering a new worldwide standard that is constantly evolving thanks to the input and experiences from the world’s leading automotive companies and engineers.
Alternatively, if you are seeking support in designing, manufacturing or sourcing an efficient lightweight structure, you can approach one of our partners via the links below.
