Traverse City, Michigan – Altair has named Ford’s F-150 pickup the winner of the third annual Altair Enlighten Award from Altair and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) for the truck’s use of lightweight materials to minimize weight.
The 2015 F-150 is being recognized for its total weight reduction of up to 700 pounds.
Ford engineers increased the use of high-strength 70,000psi steel – from 23% to 77% of the frame – to improve stiffness and durability while reducing weight. The new frame is up to 60 lb lighter than the current frame. High-strength, aluminum alloys, already used in aerospace are used throughout the F-150 body.
“We are excited to present Ford with the 2015 Altair Enlighten Award,” says Dave Mason, Vice President of Global Automotive at Altair. “The judges recognized Ford’s best-in-class innovation with the company’s approach to weight reduction by incorporating advanced materials and design technologies for the F-150.”
The Altair Enlighten Awards highlight industry examples focused on minimizing the weight of products through innovative design techniques, materials technology and manufacturing processes. It also looks at products that improve industry best practices to respond to the challenges of mass management and meeting fuel economy targets, and addressing increasing vehicle safety requirements.
Source: Ford Motor Co.