Automotive Plastics Part Design

Seminar Overview

This three-day in-depth automotive seminar provides information on material selection, design procedures, processing techniques, and the assembly methods required when designing with plastics in the automotive field.

Attendees will focus on what to expect from a polymeric material and discuss in detail how to make the design process as easy as possible and fully comply with FMVSS. In addition, this course will enable the automotive OEM and its supplier (1st, 2nd, or 3rd-tier) to have more effective communication. The OEMs will learn how to initiate their concepts on a solid, communal basis, thus allowing for cost-efficiencies and fewer second thoughts when they understand the scientific basis and the fine-tuning that comes with experience. A large number of automotive case histories will explain the step-by-step procedures for successful and robust designs.

The ETS signature seminar, taught continuously for 40+ years and attended by over 19,800 participants. Over 1,300 slides are used during the seminar, including more than 15 short movies showing step-by-step procedures for successful and robust designs. Each attendee receives a binder containing the full slide set and a Certificate of Completion.

Ideal Learner

• Automotive designers, product managers, project managers, research engineers, and material engineers
• Graduate and undergraduate students in plastics, automotive, and mechanical engineering
• Anyone involved in the development and manufacture of automotive plastic products and systems
• OEM and supplier (1st, 2nd, 3rd-tier) engineering teams seeking a common design basis
• Industry segments: interior systems, telematics, powertrain, safety systems, chassis, exterior trim, front-end modules, crash management, and electronics

Learning Objectives

• Select plastic materials for automotive applications with a defensible screening procedure
• Apply robust-design rules for walls, ribs, bosses, snap-fits, living hinges, and press-fits
• Choose and specify assembly and joining methods — welding, bonding, staking, fasteners — with process awareness
• Understand safety factors and non-linear material behavior in part design
• Troubleshoot molded-part problems using the 18-defect matrix and processing fundamentals
• Design for FMVSS compliance and effective OEM-supplier communication

Consulting Sessions

Seminar attendees can sign up for individual consulting sessions with the instructor. Sessions are free for registered attendees, first-come first-served — sign up when registering by calling 248-539-0473 or during the seminar.