| The search for alternative energy solutions | | | | Lansing to fabricate the carbon-fiber panels |
| is the priority of all automakers. But while | | | | which will serve as the finished body for the |
| other carmakers are still on the initial | | | | vehicle. Next destination for these parts is |
| research stage, General Motors' | | | | the Ann Arbor where the parts will be |
| Pre-Production Operations (PPO) Design Center | | | | integrated into the structure if their solar |
| Shop located at the automaker's Technical | | | | race car completes with chassis components |
| Center is providing resources to develop | | | | crafted of carbon fiber and light-weight |
| engineering and design solutions for | | | | metals with the addition of sophisticated |
| Continuum, the University of Michigan's | | | | electronics for power and control of the |
| ninth-generation solar car team. | | | | racer. |
| | | | |
| Rosanne Bachor, Executive Director, | | | | General Motors has renewed its focus on |
| Manufacturing Engineering and alumna graduate | | | | energy diversity in order to meet the world's |
| from the University of Michigan Engineering | | | | demand for automobiles and at the same time |
| School and member of Tauber Manufacturing | | | | making sure that no harm is done on the |
| Institute's Industry Advisory Board said, | | | | environment resulting from such development. |
| "GM's leadership and PPO represented | | | | The automaker has engineered many |
| employees are pleased to assist in this | | | | groundbreaking technologies such as the |
| effort and partner with the University of | | | | creation of advanced cars like GM's E85 |
| Michigan. We are proud to support educational | | | | FlexFuel, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles and |
| initiatives like this, and others, with our | | | | recently the introduction of the Chevrolet |
| resources and technology." | | | | Volt concept with E-Flex technology, an |
| | | | electrically driven propulsion system. All |
| It should be noted that it was in early | | | | these are products of the relentless efforts |
| December that PPO shops began receiving | | | | of GM's Tech Center employees. |
| donated high-density foam panel blocks that | | | | |
| would serve as foundation for the mold-making | | | | "We are interested in these kinds of |
| process. The math data from the Design Intent | | | | projects-projects that incorporate |
| Engineering firm was used to make the cutter | | | | innovation, technology, and natural |
| paths for the machines while operators began | | | | resources, and those that protect our global |
| milling top and bottom foam "plugs" in the | | | | environment with unique solutions. GM is |
| sleek shape of the car's body. Similarly, | | | | committed to energy diversity and finding |
| shapes of smaller components were milled into | | | | alternative propulsion breakthrough," said |
| high-temperature resistant foam blocks. And | | | | Bachor. |
| of course since the said project is in | | | | |
| collaboration with General Motors, quality | | | | For this year, GM's Continuum team will face |
| auto parts and accessories were utilized. | | | | the best teams in the world at the 2007 |
| | | | Panasonic World Solar Challenge, an 1800-mile |
| To complete the production implementation | | | | trek through the Australian Outback. Top |
| phase, students and represented UAW employees | | | | participants will come from places as far as |
| will begin the coating the milled foam pieces | | | | Turkey, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, Australia, |
| with fiberglass cloth and resins that when | | | | Iran, France, and Canada and some other teams |
| harden will form the upper, lower, and flange | | | | from the US. To prepare for the upcoming fall |
| molds. | | | | race season in Australia, the Continuum team |
| | | | will train across 4,000 miles of American |
| Once the molds are complete, the students | | | | highways spanning between Austin, Texas, and |
| will take them to an aerospace facility in | | | | Winnipeg, Canada. |