Steel solutions for lightweighting
June 28, 2011-- ArcelorMittal received the Best Process Innovation award in American Metal Market’s (AMM) 2011 Awards for Steel Excellence held in conjunction with the Steel Success Strategies Conference. The AMM awards acknowledge organisations advancing the steel industry and are judged by global steel leaders. The innovation award recognizes ArcelorMittal’s S-in motion concept and the company’s continuous commitment in producing the most ground- breaking steel for the automotive sector.
According to the AMM, ArcelorMittal was recognized for its efforts in advancing and improving the steel industry through new, sustainable processes. "The award winning companies have shown tremendous creativity, inventiveness and are pioneers in creating the way to a better future for the steel industry," said Raju Daswani, president of American Metal Market.
“We are honored to receive this recognition for leadership and innovation in the industry. ArcelorMittal looks forward to continuing to roll-out S-in motion with customers and other stakeholders to advance steel’s position in serving the automotive sector with the best solutions,” said Blake Zuidema, Director, Automotive Product Applications, ArcelorMittal Global R&D. “S-in motion offers a variety of solutions and approaches for automakers. It highlights the use of steels like Usibor® 1500P hot stamped steels along with more conventional, cold stamped Advanced High Strength Steels.”
ArcelorMittal received the Best Process Innovation award in American Metal Market’s (AMM) 2011 Awards for Steel Excellence.
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Background on S-in motion
S-in motion is the culmination of a two-year Research and Development investment by ArcelorMittal’s global automotive division. Employing more than 600 engineers and technicians worldwide, ArcelorMittal’s S-in motion project was actively collaborated upon between labs in Europe and North America. The main objective behind the S-in motion concept was to show that additional weight can be removed from a modern 5-door C-segment vehicle body-in-white using steel grades and manufacturing processes that are available today. The project generated multiple lightweight solutions for each of the body structure’s main components and subsystems. Producing lighter, safer, more environmentally-friendly steel reinforces ArcelorMittal’s competitive advantage in the automotive industry.
A key focus for the S-in motion design is its adaptability in the global market. The project proposes two versions of the vehicle, one adapted for European standards and the other accounting for the specialties of North American standards. Most of the solutions suggested are globally available.
Each S-in motion solution was achieved without compromising the strength or safety of the vehicle while keeping costs to the customers affordable. By building an actual prototype of the S-in motion model, ArcelorMittal’s R&D team was able to transform the drawing board into a realistic, full size automotive frame. This allowed them to test out their theories and analyze the practicality behind each of their solutions.
S-in motion Achievements
The S-in motion model introduces aggressive new ways to use even higher strength grades together with novel design and manufacturing concepts to further reduce vehicle weight.
When used together, the S-in motion steels have the potential to deliver:
These accomplishments do not jeopardize, in any way, automotive standards. The S-in motion concept highlights:
The innovation behind S-in motion will allow steel to compete with the weight efficiency of aluminum car solutions and remain a front runner in automotive material production, a crucial market for the steel company. One of the most notable aspects of the concept is its readiness for implementation and positive reception from key automakers. In fact, numerous customers in North America, Europe, and Japan have received roll out events, and events in Brazil and South Korea are happening soon.
The S-in motion demonstrator is the centerpiece of the display which is traveling to customer, media and other roll-out events during 2011.
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