Video: BMW CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) Manufacturing Plant and Process

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!!

MikesBMW · 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!!

Whteverjklasdf · 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 43496 Rep 21,323 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA 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, 02:48 PM	#2
keanu1 tiamat 397 Rep 1,478 Posts Drives: 525 d Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: romania iTrader: (0)	delicious!!
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12-07-2010, 03:04 PM	#3
MikesBMW Banned 331 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 BMW X1 [0.00]	wow that was awesome, id love to see how they put it on the car tho
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12-07-2010, 03:23 PM	#4
bavarian19 General 544 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)
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12-07-2010, 03:30 PM	#5
Brian135i Lieutenant 49 Rep 469 Posts Drives: BMW 16' M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [0.00]	Wow...now I want a CF roof.
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12-07-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
Hisam135i Major 55 Rep 1,166 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Wow shows you the true precision BMW has in their processes
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12-07-2010, 03:36 PM	#7
termigni Lieutenant Colonel 1081 Rep 1,761 Posts Drives: S2000, MacanS, M4CS Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [0.00]	lot of labor $$$ __________________ 2020 ///M4 CS, Alpine White, DCT 2018 ///M2 LCI, Metallic Orange, 6MT, Exec Pkg, Apple.. Sold Instagram: Tommys911
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12-07-2010, 03:37 PM	#8
b_vs Enlisted Member 1 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 07 325 E90 stock Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queretaro México iTrader: (0)	Seek!! __________________ 2016 420i Stock for now.
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12-07-2010, 03:44 PM	#9
Whteverjklasdf First Lieutenant 22 Rep 301 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . iTrader: (0)	3.9kg.... so how much is it lighter than a regular roof?
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12-07-2010, 03:51 PM	#10
anthony @ eas 318 Rep 3,635 Posts Drives: R56 Cooper S Join Date: May 2009 Location: 4015 E Leaverton Court, Anahiem, CA 92807 iTrader: (0)	Awesome.
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12-07-2010, 03:51 PM	#11
ase2dais //Mdicted 354 Rep 9,989 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	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
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12-07-2010, 03:55 PM	#12
Park2670 General 361 Rep 18,218 Posts Drives: Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UTAH iTrader: (8)	Very fascinating! __________________
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12-07-2010, 04:22 PM	#13
BMWI6 Major 100 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	Me loves Carbon Fiber __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
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12-07-2010, 05:07 PM	#14
vladberca Major General 777 Rep 5,566 Posts Drives: '18 octavia 2.0 tdi dsg Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova iTrader: (0)	More parts on M and M Pack models (CF roof is a must!)
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12-07-2010, 05:08 PM	#15
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 795 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	Beautiful! Do you think that's any better than Vorsteiner? __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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12-07-2010, 05:17 PM	#16
dimabimmer Lieutenant Colonel 149 Rep 1,885 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn to SoHo NYC 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
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12-07-2010, 05:53 PM	#17
ibeclueless What 142 Rep 9,325 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Quincy, MA 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
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12-07-2010, 06:39 PM	#18
isugoo Major General 249 Rep 6,125 Posts Drives: 991.2 GTS Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (73)	now I wanna see how Vorsteiner makes their C/F in youtube video too. __________________ PAST: F80 M3 ZCP \| 911.1 C2S \| F10 M5 ZCP \| E70 X5M \| E90 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3
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12-07-2010, 07:45 PM	#19
Mavrick151 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OC CA --> Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	That was AMAZING! Its always great to take a peek behind the scenes.
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12-07-2010, 07:52 PM	#20
califsu New Member 4 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 SG, 2014 F30 328i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)
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12-07-2010, 09:08 PM	#21
DM1 Captain 98 Rep 698 Posts Drives: Mini Cooper S Paceman Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monterrey, Mexico. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 3.0si [7.00] 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 __________________ Follow my blog at http://dmauto.wordpress.com
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12-07-2010, 10:11 PM	#22
nebz Captain 23 Rep 681 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nyc iTrader: (6)	amazing...
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