Abstract
An engineering analysis has been carried on , in order to estimate performance, cost and time to market of a simplified aluminium platform , made by a small set of extruded beams .
The proposed architecture is very essential and looks very traditional , but carefully designed , in order to integrate , in a very effective concept , most of the lessons learned by several chassis frames , proposed in the past decades .
Thanks to the specified set of drivers , the resultant platform is very light , still with a global stiffness-to-mass ratio higher than 3000 Nm /rad per kg .
The architecture choice and the consequent assembly process appear very convenient for low volumes and flexible production : the main structure is made by 21 pieces only , machined from 7 different extruded sections ; the total fillet welds length being less than 7 meters .
Clean process , friendly environmental approach, low investment , flexible output rate recommend the proposed aluminium solution for a variety of different car concept , but cost and performance-to-mass ratio emphasize the advantage for high performance low volume sports cars .
Moreover , the low sensitiveness of the frame performance to minor changes candidates the proposed solution to the role of platform archetype for a number of different bodies and different powertrains , perhaps a standard component for different Body Builders and Cars Manufacturers .