Cooper Standard is selling assembly time as much as seals, betting automakers will pay for parts that cut minutes on the line
Cooper Standard has launched FlexiFit, a family of sealing products that merge separate parts into single assemblies to cut installation time, weight and supply complexity on automaker production lines. The first three, a glass guide, a hidden waist belt seal and a roof rail, are now open for vehicle programme development.
The one-piece, injection-moulded 1K Glass Guide replaces multi-part assemblies, is fully recyclable and weighs up to 20% less than conventional below-belt brackets. The Hidden Outer Waist Belt drops into place without pushpins, which Cooper Standard says saves more than 10% of assembly labour against conventional versions and up to 40% in weight against flange-mounted designs.
The Roof Rail, for frameless doors, uses integrated stanchion clips to fold several parts into one unit up to 24% lighter than conventional designs. Selling seals as integrated systems lets Cooper Standard compete on line time and logistics as well as part price, as automakers hunt for savings in final assembly.
In a statement, Patrick Clark, President of Sealing Systems and Chief Manufacturing Officer at Cooper Standard, said: “Our customers have been clear about the challenges they’re facing, and FlexiFit is a direct response to those needs. By rethinking how individual components work together, we’re delivering value-added innovation through integrated solutions that make a meaningful difference in customers’ manufacturing operations.”
Source: Cooper Standard
Source: www.automotiveworld.com
