See
related NIST projects on the NIST Electronics/Semiconductor
industry sector information web page.
Automotive
Materials
In the
highly competitive automotive market, manufacturers must
continually improve their products. And that means they
need superior materials. NIST programs help improve many
of the materials that go into cars from exterior paint to
polymer body panels and alloy engine parts. Below are links
to some of our materials research projects.
Materials
Performance Groupfocuses on mechanical properties,
deformation processing and fracture, and the effects of
corrosion on materials performance; provides industry with
materials performance and corrosion control data, hardness
standards, models for processing aluminum metal matrix composites,
and standard test methods. Contact: Richard
Fields, (301) 975-5712.
Metallurgical
Processing Groupaids metals producers and manufacturers
by developing measurement and control technologies which
can be used to improve the reproducibility and efficiency
of industrial processes, and the quality of the resulting
materials. Contact: Stephen
Ridder, (301) 975-6175.
Polymers
Divisionhelping industry overcome problems in
bringing light-weight, corrosion-resistant composites into
commercial use by investigating cost-effective fabrication
methods and identifying ways to predict long-term performance.
Contact: Eric Amis,
(301) 975-6681.
Ceramics
WebBooka resource for ceramic materials researchers
and engineers; contains evaluated data on ceramics properties.
Ceramics
Divisionsee the NIST Ceramics Division homepage
for links to publications, programs, facilities, and events.
Contact: Debra Kaiser,
(301) 975-6119.
NIST
Center for Neutron Researchprobes automotive materials
with state-of-the-art neutron research tools; contributes
to improved measurement of residual stress in automotive
components; measures structure to help improve processing
of new lightweight composites and next generation batteries
and fuel cells. Contact: Patrick
Gallagher, (301) 975-6210.
The
NIST Advanced Technology
Program co-funds industrial research on high-risk, high-payoff
ideas, including projects with potential to boost the competitiveness
of the U.S. automotive industry. Contact: ATP
or 1-800-ATP-FUND.
Manufacturing
Composite Structuresa NIST
Advanced Technology Program effort to assist U.S. companies
develop the technical capability to produce affordable high-performance
composites for large scale commercial applications including
automotive parts. Contact: Felix
Wu, (301) 975-4685.
[top]
Mechanical and Dimensional Measurements
Making
quality cars and car parts means sub-millimeter measurement
precision on the assembly line. Through work with NIST,
U.S. auto makers have greatly improved measurement accuracy
in their complex manufacturing processes. That translates
into fewer manufacturing errors and less shakes and rattles
on the road. Here's how NIST helps.
NIST's
Manufacturing Engineering Laboratoryworks to improve
the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing by developing
and applying measurement standards and technologies. Contact:
melwebmaster
or (301) 975-3400.
Engineering
Metrologydevelops the techniques and standards
for length and geometric measurements needed to make sure
parts conform to design specifications. Contact: Theodore
Dorion, (301) 975-3468.
Large
Scale Metrologyimproves measurements on the scale
of one meter or larger and helps reduce the problem of parts
not meeting measurement tolerances. Contact: Steven
Phillips, (301) 975-3468.
Measurement
Services for Mechanical Quantitiesprovides U.S.
industry with best-in-the-world-class measurement services
for the mechanical quantities of mass, force, sound pressure,
acceleration, shock, and ultrasonic power. Contact: David
Evans, (301) 975-6637.
Manufacturing Processes
Today,
the average new car has some 14,000 to 15,000 parts and
accessories. Manufacturers' processes must flow together
seamlessly in order to produce a quality car. NIST research
is helping manufacturers improve their processes. Here's
how.
Characterization
and Performance Improvement of Machining Systemsdevelops
machine tool performance evaluation standards so manufacturers
can better assess which machine tool is best for the job.
Contact: Johannes
Soons, (301) 975-6474.
Predictive
Process Engineeringdevelops measurements and standards
for accurately predicting the outcome of parts production
processes so that one day parts are made right the first
time. Contact: Robert
Ivester, (301) 975-8324.
Sensors,
Interfaces and Networks for Metrology Manufacturingaccelerates
the development of smart sensor technology and sensor networks
by working on standard interfaces for connecting sensors
to microprocessors. Contact: Kang
Lee, (301) 975-6604.
The
NIST Advanced Technology
Program co-funds industrial research on high-risk, high-payoff
ideas, including projects with potential to boost the competitiveness
of the U.S. automotive industry. One funded project seeks
to lower costs for manufacturing molds for large plastic
parts. Read
more.
Another
NIST Advanced Technology
Program project could develop and refine a revolutionary
technique for making a wide range of hardened steel parts,
slashing manufacturing costs by up to 30 percent and adding
$6 billion to the U.S. economy every year. Read
more.
Honeywell
Technology Center of Minneapolis, received a NIST
Advanced Technology Program award to develop and design
an economical process to manufacture large complex metal
parts through metal injection molding. Such a process has
the potential to cut production costs for large complex
metal parts, such as automotive transmission parts, by 50
percent. Read
more.
The
NIST Advanced Technology
Program awarded $4.8 million to the Auto Body Consortium
to improve the quality of vehicle assembly. The consortium
developed the 2- millimeter assembly process, decreasing
dimensional variation from 5 to 6 millimeters to 2 millimeters
or less. Read
more.
The
NIST Advanced Technology
Program awarded $3.5 million to the National Center
for Manufacturing Sciences, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Mich., to
improve machine tool spindles. One of the resulting spindle
designs could save the auto industry 100,000 hours in annual
machining time for a single part. Read
more.
Motor
Vehicle Manufacturing Technologya NIST
Advanced Technology Program effort to help U.S. companies
develop motor vehicle manufacturing technologies to decrease
changeover time for new models from 48 to 24 months.
[top]
Systems Integration and Interoperability
In the
information age, manufacturing relies on multiple, technically
complex systems working well together within and between
shops. Auto manufacturers are getting help from NIST in
making sure a set of specs means exactly the same thing
to different manufacturing systems. Read on to see how we're
improving interoperability and integration.
Intelligent
Open Architecture Control of Manufacturing Systemsdevelops
measurements and standards to support robotic control technology
for process and measuring equipment. Contact: Frederick
Proctor, (301) 975-3425.
Manufacturing
Enterprise Integrationdemonstrate
the potential for reducing the cost of Business-to-Business
(B2B) software integration through new types of semantics-based
measurements, standards, and infrastructural technologies
that enable the building and testing of self-integratable
applications. Contact: Al
Jones, (301) 975-3554.
Product
Engineeringdevelops information protocols for
interoperability of computer-aided design and product engineering
systems. Contact: Ram
Sriram, (301) 975-3507.
Shop
Floor as a National Measurement Instituteperforms
research that will help manufacturers demonstrate measurement
ability traditionally performed only in a nation's primary
measurement lab, but now required for global trade. Contact:
Steven Phillips,
(301) 975-3565.
Systems
Integration for Manufacturing Applicationsfocuses
on defining, testing, and promoting standards for interoperability
solutions; facilitates remote access to scientific and engineering
data; and researches collaborative manufacturing environments.
Contact: Mark Carlisle,
(301) 975-3982.
Intelligent
Networked Simulation and ControlReal Time Innovations,
Inc. received funding from the NIST
Advanced Technology Program to develop a high-speed
network to test integration of individual components from
multiple remote locations.
Electronics
More
than ever before, new cars are wired. Electronics under
the hood control everything form engine performance to braking
and traction. And electronic devices such as GPS locators,
cellular phones, and flat panel video displays are proliferating
in the passenger compartment. NIST research has supported
the development of these devices, and NIST continues to
help solve the challenges of operating delicate electronics
next to hot engine parts.
Mathematical
Modeling for IGBT Semiconductor Devicesdevelops
mathematical models for insulated-gate bipolar transistor
semiconductors used to design electronic ignition systems;
develops model validation procedures and associated experimental
techniques for IGBT and other semiconductor devices. Contact:
Allen Hefner,
(301) 975-2071.
Solders
and Solderability Measurements for Microelectronicsdevelops
test methods and guidelines for evaluating solder and solderability
of components; assesses solderability and reliability of
lead-free and fatigue-resistant solders designed for automotive
use. Contact: Frank
Gayle, (301) 975-6161.
Solder
Properties Databaseprovides an online database
of solder properties emphasizing new lead-free solders.
Flat
Panel Display Metrologyinvestigating the best
ways to measure characteristics of newly emerging flat panel
displays for automotive, consumer, computer, and avionics
use; helping develop national and international standards
for flat panel display characterization. Contact: Edward
Kelley, (301) 975-3842.
Office
of Microelectronics ProgramsManages the National
Semiconductor Metrology Program, a NIST-wide effort designed.
Contact: nsmp@nist.gov
or (301) 975-4400.
Semiconductor
Electronics Divisionperforms research to provide
necessary measurement tools, data, models, and standards
to the U.S. semiconductor industry. Contact: Dave
Seiler, (301) 975-2074.
See
related NIST projects on the NIST
Electronics/Semiconductor industry sector information
web page.
[top]
Safety
New
cars equipped with air bags and anti-lock brakes are safer
than ever before, but driving remains among the riskiest
things Americans do. More than 40,000 Americans die in car
crashes annually, and more than 3 million are injured, according
to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics.
The links below describe programs that help the auto industry
make safer cars.
Crash
Avoidance Systemsdeveloping and applying intelligent
control technology for civilian and military vehicles; developing
performance measures for first-generation crash avoidance
systems. Contact: Maris
Juberts, (301) 975-3424.
Improving
Vehicle Fire SafetySee the results of a NIST and
General Motors study on how flame retardant paints and caulks
might better protect vehicle occupants in a post-crash fire.
Contact: Anthony
Hamins, (301) 975-6598.
Flammability
of Minivan PartsSee the results of a study on
flammability of minivan parts in order to obtain valuable
data and insights on vehicle fires. Contact: Thomas
Ohlemiller, (301) 975-6481.
Reducing Emissions
New
car models are less polluting than ever before, and new
technologies offer the hope of far less polluting vehicles
in the not-too-distant future. NIST has helped car makers
reduce and eliminate pollutants like lead, CFCs, and hydrocarbon
emissions. Follow the links below to see how we're helping.
NIST Databases help
assure accuracy with environmental measurements. Our Quantitative
Infrared Database helps industry and environmental regulators
measure air pollutants with great accuracy. Contact: Pamela
Chu, (301) 975-3939.
Our
REFPROP database helps automotive engineers design air
conditioning systems that don't rely on ozone-depleting
CFC compounds. Contact: Eric
Lemmon, (303) 497-7939.
NIST
Traceable Reference MaterialsIn order to better
meet the growing demand for environmental emissions testing,
NIST developed NTRMs, or NIST Traceable Reference Materials.
Produced commercially with NIST guidance and monitoring,
these gas standards enable accurate testing of industrial
and automotive emissions. Contact: Frank
Guenther, (301) 975-3939.
Here's
a list of NIST
Traceable Reference Material suppliers.
Physical
and Chemical Data
The
NIST Standard Reference
Data Program serves science and industry with world-leading
technical data services and products. This page provides
links to scientific databases in several specialties. Contact:
(301) 975-2008 or Contact
SRD.
The
NIST Chemistry
WebBook provides users with easy access to chemical
and physical property data through the internet. You can
search by name, formula, author, or structure and retrieve
phase, reaction, spectral, thermophysical, and many other
properties.
Physical
Reference Datalook up physical constants, atomic
and molecular data, ionization, x-ray, and gamma ray data,
nuclear physics data, and condensed matter physics data.
This page also has links to other online NIST reference
databases.
Chemical
Kinetics Databasea compilation of kinetics data
on gas-phase reactions; searchable by specific reactants,
reactions resulting in specific products, all reactions
of a particular species, or combinations of these. Available
free online. Contact: Robert
Huie, (301) 975-2559.
Computational
Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark Databasethis
database contains computational thermochemical data for
a selected set of about 600 gas-phase molecules and tools
for comparing experimental and computational thermochemical
properties in the database.
Small Manufacturers and Parts Suppliers
NIST's
Manufacturing Extension Partnership , a nationwide network
of assistance centers for smaller manufacturers in all 50
states, and Puerto Rico, offers experts to consult with
small to mid-sized manufacturing firms. Assistance covers
advice on ways to modernize, increase efficiency and take
advantage of information technology. Automotive parts manufacturers
and suppliers are among the more than 100,000 firms receiving
assistance between 1988 and 2000. Contact: 1-800-MEP-4MFG.
For
example, Solvay Automotive of Adrian, Mich., worked with
two MEP centers, the Edison
Industrial Systems Center and the Michigan
Manufacturing Technology Center to solve problems in
its manufacturing line. As a result, the company experienced
a 25 percent increase in production.
Another
automotive parts supplier, Mennie's Machine Company of Mark,
Ill., needed QS 9000 Certification to meet the demands of
its auto manufacturer customers. The company participated
in the ISO/QS 9000 Preparation Network, set up by the Illinois
Manufacturing Extension Center and earned its certification.
[top]
Other Resources
NIST
outreach programs work directly with business and industry
to boost U.S. economic competitiveness. Many automotive
companies and their suppliers have benefitted by taking
advantage of these programs.
NIST's
Advanced Technology Program spurs innovation in U.S.
industry by co-funding high-risk, high-payoff projects with
private industry. Contact: 1-800-ATP-FUND or atp@nist.gov.
Smaller
manufacturers face many challenges in our technology-driven
environment. To help meet these challenges, NIST started
the Manufacturing Extension
Partnership program in 1988. This nationwide network
of centers, now in all 50 states, has assisted more than
100,000 U.S. firms, including automotive parts suppliers.
Contact: 1-800-MEP-4MFG.
The
Baldrige National
Quality Program recognizes performance excellence and
quality achievement by U.S. manufacturers, service companies,
educational organizations, and health-care providers. Auto
industry firms have been competing for the Baldrige Award
since it was established in 1988. Five automotive suppliers
and one manufacturer have been among the winners: