Body Exterior  Nominee  Nascote Industries

Description   Fascia Rubstrip for Reverse Parking Aid Sensors
OEM, Model, Model Year   Ford, Explorer / Mountaineer, 2002
System Supplier, Contact, Phone   Nascote Industries, Scott Gaskill, (618)327-4381
Molder/Processor, Contact and Phone   Baxter Enterprises, Ed Carter, (931)962-8687
Toolmaker, Contact and Phone   Hi Tech Mold , Dan Hudson, (248)852-6600
Material Supplier, Contact and Phone   Solvay Engineered Polymers, Tom Foley, (248)391-9519
Generic resin type   TPO
Resin Trade Name   Sequel
Grade   1440
OEM Engineer, Title and Phone   Mark Nygren, Release Engineer, (313)323-1896
Nominated by, Company   Scott Gaskill, Nascote Industries
Address   18310 Enterprise Avenue, Nashville, IL 62226
Phone   (618)327-4381
Fax   (618)327-9817
Email   scott_gaskill@nascote.com
Summary The rubstrip is designed to be used on two different fascia surfaces, therefore eliminating the need to build separate rubstrip tooling for each fascia. The rubstrip was molded flat for molding feasibility and is flexed into position. Weight Savings: None. Cost Savings: $400,000 Cost Avoidance: $10,000
Most Innovative Feature The rubstrip is designed to be used on two different fascia surfaces, therefore eliminating the need to build separate rubstrip tooling for each fascia. It will also adapt to other similar fascia surfaces, providing potential for use on future fascias.
Other Innovative Features The rubstrip was not feasible to mold in the designed profile, so it was molded flat to permit molding feasibility and is flexed into position.
Forming Process The rubstrip is injection molded.
First time process used? Yes, this is the first use of injection molding to produce a rubstrip which is adaptable to multiple fascia surfaces.
Previous Process Used Rubstrips were previously designed to be used on one specific fascia. The materials used were similar to the TPO used in this application.
Tooling Innovations The mold which produces the rubstrip is a 4 cavity mold which is very complex, having a total of 44 lifters and 24 slides. This is necessary to put the numerous attachment points on the back of the rubstrip which permit it to fit tightly to the surface of both fascias. Also, the part was molded flat to reduce further mold complexity.
New Material Developments None
Weight Savings The universal rubstrip is comparable in weight to using different rubstrips for each fascia surface. The savings is realized in reduced tooling cost and reduction in complexity.
Direct Cost Savings $400,000
Indirect Cost Savings $10,000
Direct Consumer Benefit No
Translates to other Vehicles? The universal rubstrip can be translated to other vehicle lines, which is it's main benefit.
Safety Benefits None
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