Abstract
The complexity of new body concepts to meet customer demands, clearly calls for the necessity of a concurrent body engineering approach. Outstanding properties can only be reached if the choice of materials, body concept and joining methods is done in an integrated process.
To be able to implement appropriate joining methods, in regard to the increasing specification of new body materials, a holistic approach is used at Volvo. This includes a dedicated organization, unique work methodology as well as broad programmes for technology investigation.
This paper together with a 'multi-media' presentation will describe the idea that lies behind the establishment of the Volvo Joining Centre. It depicts the routines for how the joinability of new material grades for automotive car bodies is evaluated, and presents the global data-base (Join-NET) in which all values for joint properties and joining process data are stored. Search functions in this data-base will be illustrated on-line.
Finally, a couple of examples will show some extra high strength steels (EHSS) applications, which have been successfully introduced in high volume production for recent products. The work methodology earlier mentioned helped reduce product developing time and resulted in a high-quality and smooth introduction of these materials, without any disturbances in running production.