Case Study: Thermoplastic Windshield Wiper Bracket System Delivers Cost and Weight Benefits
The 2003 Lincoln Town Car sports a thermoplastic windshield wiper bracket (nosecone) system reduces weight approximately 10 percent vs. SMC, delivers significant cost benefits, simplifies assembly, sets trend.
Application Description
The nosecone, located just below the lower edge of a windshield inside the engine compartment, supports and positions the windshield wiper module and provides a seal against the hood.
Materials Selected and Why
DuPont™ Rynite® post-consumer recycled PET polyester resin, eliminates a significant number of post-finishing operations and reduces weight approximately 10% to deliver significant production cost savings compared to a previous component of SMC (sheet molding compound).
A team from Ford Motor Co., Carlisle Engineered Products, Valeo and DuPont Engineering Polymers collaborated on design and engineering for the nosecone, configuring the shape to accommodate under-hood engine packaging requirements.
Rynite® PET provides the stiffness, flatness and structural capabilities needed for large, load-bearing parts, including forces from wiper motor torque.
