Questions About Composite Body

[Craig]

Checked my notes from Columbus. Hard to read.
One note says: No paint vats. I think I remember him saying the cars will not be painted.
Next time someone goes to an event, please confirm.

 

[Ralphe]

I think this is how the body will be made.

The Making of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxaTwSBWz14

SMC: Molding The Future - Part I of II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZYLGtl4dg8

SMC: Molding The Future - Part II of II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcRmhlgBpjw

Interesting!

 

[KScarguy]

I wish the videos showed the actual stamping/forming process.

 

[R80RTWoody]

Maybe I missed it but seems like I read that it was a "composite". Composite of what? I'm assuming that it is not metal or carbon fiber ( cf-a wish but probably not at the proposed Elio out the door cost). If a plastic of some sort, what are the charactoristics at high and low (sub 0*F) temperatures? How resistant is it to minor impacts - crack-break-bend? Thanks for any information.

 

[KScarguy]

Fiberglass body. Between 2 and 5 layers of fiberglass and resin pressed between two opposing molds to form the panels.

 

[Craig]

Fiberglass body. Between 2 and 5 layers of fiberglass and resin pressed between two opposing molds to form the panels.

http://www.elioowners.com/threads/smc-sheet-molding-compound-101.376/

 

[Frosty]

Fiberglass body. Between 2 and 5 layers of fiberglass and resin pressed between two opposing molds to form the panels.

Fiberglass is used on the prototypes for ease of hand-building. Production models will use a composite material that facilitates mass production of body panels.

 

[jtmarten]

Think Saturn. Probably a very similar composite material that has been used on the Saturns since their release.

 

[raybonz]

There is quite a bit of plastic on all cars these days..

 

[JP]

Yeah but no rust and no door dings are a good thing. You can remove almost any dent with heating the spot up with a hairdryer