Video: BMW CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) Manufacturing Plant and Process - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Jason · 12-07-2010, 01:35 PM

This video should be 10 minutes of pure joy for carbon fiber fanatics to witness. It features BMW's new CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) manufacturing plant and many steps of the carbon fiber parts production process. CF will be used extensively in BMW's future Megacity electric vehicle due in 2013 and is currently used as roof material for some M cars.

The Megacity's construction will be of a body-on-frame. The lower half is the "drive" module -- an aluminum chassis that melds the battery, electric drive system and crash structure. A high-strength, lightweight, carbon fiber passenger compartment is attached on top. The key benefit is weight reduction, a prime consideration in reducing the weight and cost of the battery, while providing sufficient range.

BMW will push suppliers for 100 percent recyclability of parts. Innovative use of weight-saving carbon fiber is a key to making the design work. BMW has partnered with SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers to build a carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Wash.

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic parts will be impregnated with color, removing the need for a paint shop. That will reduce energy use and emissions.

BMW will go to great lengths to reduce the cost of carbon fiber. BMW's process involves reuse of scrap, enabled by a new technique of turning carbon strands into sheets of fiber. BMW will use a new "quasi-stamping process" to make smaller carbon fiber-reinforced plastic parts than automakers normally use, saving cost and time.

Some of this process is featured in the video.

keanu1 · 12-07-2010, 02:48 PM

delicious!!

MB135i · 12-07-2010, 03:04 PM

wow that was awesome, id love to see how they put it on the car tho

bavarian19 · 12-07-2010, 03:23 PM

Brian135i · 12-07-2010, 03:30 PM

Wow...now I want a CF roof.

Hisam135i · 12-07-2010, 03:35 PM

Wow shows you the true precision BMW has in their processes

termigni · 12-07-2010, 03:36 PM

lot of labor $$$

b_vs · 12-07-2010, 03:37 PM

Seek!!

Sealobo · 12-07-2010, 03:44 PM

3.9kg.... so how much is it lighter than a regular roof?

anthony @ eas · 12-07-2010, 03:51 PM

Awesome.

ase2dais · 12-07-2010, 03:51 PM

I fell asleep !
Whaat Happen?

Park2670 · 12-07-2010, 03:55 PM

Very fascinating!

BMWI6 · 12-07-2010, 04:22 PM

Me loves Carbon Fiber

vladberca · 12-07-2010, 05:07 PM

More parts on M and M Pack models (CF roof is a must!)

Mr. 5 · 12-07-2010, 05:08 PM

Beautiful!
Do you think that's any better than Vorsteiner?

dimabimmer · 12-07-2010, 05:17 PM

matrix,- the blue pill or the red one?

ibeclueless · 12-07-2010, 05:53 PM

cool

isugoo · 12-07-2010, 06:39 PM

now I wanna see how Vorsteiner makes their C/F in youtube video too.

Mavrick151 · 12-07-2010, 07:45 PM

That was AMAZING! Its always great to take a peek behind the scenes.

califsu · 12-07-2010, 07:52 PM

DM1 · 12-07-2010, 09:08 PM

It's amazing. The whole process shows how much is involved in the production of this "optional feature". I cannot imagine the cost of any of those machines, so I assume they are planning on using them on many different applications.

BMW

nebz · 12-07-2010, 10:11 PM

amazing...

12-07-2010, 01:35 PM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 13,929 iTrader: (0)	Video: BMW CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) Manufacturing Plant and Process This video should be 10 minutes of pure joy for carbon fiber fanatics to witness. It features BMW's new CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) manufacturing plant and many steps of the carbon fiber parts production process. CF will be used extensively in BMW's future Megacity electric vehicle due in 2013 and is currently used as roof material for some M cars. The Megacity's construction will be of a body-on-frame. The lower half is the "drive" module -- an aluminum chassis that melds the battery, electric drive system and crash structure. A high-strength, lightweight, carbon fiber passenger compartment is attached on top. The key benefit is weight reduction, a prime consideration in reducing the weight and cost of the battery, while providing sufficient range. BMW will push suppliers for 100 percent recyclability of parts. Innovative use of weight-saving carbon fiber is a key to making the design work. BMW has partnered with SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers to build a carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Wash. Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic parts will be impregnated with color, removing the need for a paint shop. That will reduce energy use and emissions. BMW will go to great lengths to reduce the cost of carbon fiber. BMW's process involves reuse of scrap, enabled by a new technique of turning carbon strands into sheets of fiber. BMW will use a new "quasi-stamping process" to make smaller carbon fiber-reinforced plastic parts than automakers normally use, saving cost and time. Some of this process is featured in the video. __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
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12-07-2010, 03:04 PM	#3
MB135i Captain Drives: Space Gray 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 960 iTrader: (1)	wow that was awesome, id love to see how they put it on the car tho __________________ Retired: 2008 EVO X GSR \|AERO\|SSS\|SPORT\|COBB AP STAGE 1\| Retired: 2008 BMW 135i \|SPORT\|COBB AP STAGE 1\| Current: 2007 BMW 335i E92 \|SPORT\|PREM\|COLD\|NAV\|AS\|COBB AP STAGE 1\|

12-07-2010, 03:30 PM	#5
Brian135i First Lieutenant Drives: BMW 09' 135i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sicily Posts: 372 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [0.00]	Wow...now I want a CF roof. __________________

12-07-2010, 03:36 PM	#7
termigni Lieutenant Drives: Duc 996 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 451 iTrader: (0)	lot of labor $$$ __________________

12-07-2010, 03:37 PM	#8
b_vs Enlisted Member Drives: 07 325 E90 stock Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queretaro México Posts: 36 iTrader: (0)	Seek!! __________________ 325i 07 on 230´s

12-07-2010, 02:48 PM	#2
keanu1 tiamat Drives: 525 d Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: romania Posts: 1,269 iTrader: (0)	delicious!!

12-07-2010, 03:23 PM	#4
bavarian19 General Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA Posts: 18,658 iTrader: (22)

12-07-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
Hisam135i Major Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,099 iTrader: (0)	Wow shows you the true precision BMW has in their processes

12-07-2010, 03:44 PM	#9
Sealobo Second Lieutenant Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 299 iTrader: (0)	3.9kg.... so how much is it lighter than a regular roof?

12-07-2010, 03:51 PM	#10
anthony @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: R56 Cooper S Join Date: May 2009 Location: 4015 E Leaverton Court, Anahiem, CA 92807 Posts: 3,486 iTrader: (0)	Awesome. __________________ Anthony M. \| european auto source (eas) email: anthony@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com tel 866.669.0705 \| ca: 714.369.8524 x25 \| fax: 714.908.1796 Blog \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Flickr \| Twitter

12-07-2010, 03:51 PM	#11
ase2dais //Mdicted Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring Posts: 9,790 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2012 Trek Madone 5.2 [0.00] 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [5.00] 2009 + 2004 Trek - ... [5.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [5.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [3.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [3.50] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [4.75]	I fell asleep ! Whaat Happen? __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies

12-07-2010, 03:55 PM	#12
Park2670 Lieutenant General Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UTAH Posts: 17,951 iTrader: (5)	Very fascinating! __________________ Utah Chat Thread 2011 335d ///M-Sport

12-07-2010, 04:22 PM	#13
BMWI6 Major Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 1,314 iTrader: (2)	Me loves Carbon Fiber __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"

12-07-2010, 05:07 PM	#14
vladberca Colonel Drives: '09 jetta tsi 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova Posts: 2,809 iTrader: (0)	More parts on M and M Pack models (CF roof is a must!)

12-07-2010, 05:08 PM	#15
Mr. 5 Modder Raider Drives: e36 325i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB Posts: 8,609 iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [4.00]	Beautiful! Do you think that's any better than Vorsteiner? __________________ e36 325i e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM

12-07-2010, 05:17 PM	#16
dimabimmer Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn to SoHo NYC Posts: 1,617 iTrader: (0)	matrix,- the blue pill or the red one? __________________ '11 E92 M3 ZCP SG 6MT Tech Sound USB Heat Cloth Aluminium Sunshade http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422151

12-07-2010, 05:53 PM	#17
ibeclueless What Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 9,339 iTrader: (1)	cool __________________ E92 328xi Space Gray Aero Lip \| M3 Side Skirts \| CF Performance Spoiler \| ACS Roof \| Gloss Black Grilles \| LUX H8 Angels \| BMW Performance Exhaust My E92 Photos

12-07-2010, 06:39 PM	#18
isugoo Brigadier General Drives: 08 E90 Dinan M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 4,969 iTrader: (51)	now I wanna see how Vorsteiner makes their C/F in youtube video too. __________________ X5M PAST: 08 E90 M3 \| 08 E92 335i \| 03.5 E46 M3 \| 99 E36 M3

12-07-2010, 07:45 PM	#19
Mavrick151 My M treats me right Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Where the tracks are fast and the babes are abundant! Posts: 295 iTrader: (1)	That was AMAZING! Its always great to take a peek behind the scenes.

12-07-2010, 07:52 PM	#20
califsu New Member Drives: 2011 E92 M3 SG Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)

12-07-2010, 09:08 PM	#21
DM1 Captain Drives: E46 320i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monterrey, Mexico. Posts: 665 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 3.0si [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2005 Renault Megane RS [0.00]	It's amazing. The whole process shows how much is involved in the production of this "optional feature". I cannot imagine the cost of any of those machines, so I assume they are planning on using them on many different applications. BMW __________________

12-07-2010, 10:11 PM	#22
nebz Captain Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 683 iTrader: (6)	amazing...

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