The Steel Unibody: The Application of Cost Analysis to Determine Cost Reduction Strategies
Despite repeated challenges from alternative materials and processes, the stamped and spot welded steel unibody remains the near-unanimous choice of automakers for vehicle body-in-white (BIW) structures and exterior panels in volume production. Conventional steel's only weakness is mass; aluminum and polymer composites offer the potential for considerable mass savings, but generally at a higher cost. Efforts within the automakers as well as by outside organizations such as the international steel industry's Ultra Light Steel Auto Body (ULSAB) program are underway to improve the steel uni-body's mass and cost position. To reduce cost, it is first necessary to identify cost. The measurement of cost for a complex system such as an automobile BIW is far from a trivial task. This paper presents an analytical approach to understanding the manufacturing cost for a conventional steel unibody. The results of this cost analysis are then used to outline a strategy for future cost reduction.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01487191
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Supplemental Notes:
- Abstract reprinted with permission of SAE International.
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Authors:
- Dieffenbach, Jeff R
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Conference:
- International Congress & Exposition
- Location: Detroit Michigan, United States
- Date: 1998-2-23 to 1998-2-26
- Publication Date: 1998-1-23
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
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Serial:
- SAE Technical Paper
- Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- ISSN: 0148-7191
- EISSN: 2688-3627
- Serial URL: http://papers.sae.org/
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aluminum; Benefit cost analysis; Composite materials; Metal working; Polymers; Steel
- Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01792318
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: SAE International
- Report/Paper Numbers: 981004
- Files: TRIS, SAE
- Created Date: Dec 9 2021 10:12AM