Recommended Citation Namouz, Essam, "MASS AND ASSEMBLY TIME REDUCTION FOR FUTURE GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES BASED ON EXISTING VEHICLE MODEL " (2010). All Theses. Paper 1033. MASS AND ASSEMBLY TIME REDUCTION FOR FUTURE GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES BA

This research presents method for evaluating the lightweightedness of a vehicle and an approach for vehicle assembly time savings potential developed through a case study. The Lazy Part Identification method for mass reduction specifically addresses those components whose primary purpose is to aid in manufacturing and assembly rather than to provide end-user function. Seven specific laziness indicators are described and illustrated: rigid-to-rigid connection, support for a flexible, non-moving part, positioning feature, duplicate geometry, fastener, bridging system, and material flow restriction. These indicators are used to evaluate individual vehicle components as part of a proposed method for identifying mass reduction potential. The indicators do not require extensive knowledge of the functionality of the components being evaluated, focusing instead on the geometry and assembly information available. The purpose of the proposed method is to focus the attention of designers on components or assemblies with high potential for mass reduction. This method is applied to a complete automotive vehicle consisting of approximately 1500 parts, demonstrating a mass savings potential of the overall vehicl