Body Exterior  Nominee  Donnelly Corporation

Description   Y-Seal Flip Window
OEM, Model, Model Year   Ford, F250/350 , 2000
System Supplier, Contact, Phone   Donnelly Corporation, Simon Abbott, (616)786-7531
Molder/Processor   IPL
Material Supplier, Contact and Phone   Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P., Bonnie Bennyhoff, (248)377-6204
Generic resin type   TPV
Resin Trade Name   Santoprene
Grade   121-50M100
OEM Engineer and Phone   Doug Martinelli, (313)337-3766
Nominated by, Company   Peter Spencley, Donnelly Corporation
Address   49 W. Third Street, Holland, MI 49423-2813
Phone   (616)786-7058
Fax   (616)786-7904
Email   simon.abbott@donnelly.com
Summary The first use of 2-shot injection molding to create a finished part having a redundant seal with a variable cross-section and with no limitation to corner radius design. By using the 2-shot molding process, the final system allowed stud placement to be optimized & a continuous seal vs the previous hand applied thermoset rubber "rope" design. Weight Savings: 25% Cost Savings: N/A Cost Avoidance: N/A
Most Innovative Feature The first use of 2-shot injection molding to create a finished part having a redundant seal with a variable cross-section and with no limitation to corner radius design.
Other Innovative Features By using the 2-shot molding process, the final system allowed stud placement to be optimized & a continuous seal vs the previous hand applied thermoset rubber "rope" design.
Forming Process 2-shot injection molding
First time process used? Yes
Previous Process Used TPEs have been used for this type of seal, but always hand-applied or insert-molded causing limitations on design/performance. This part previously used a hand-applied TSR seal.
Tooling Innovations Several modeling tools were used to optimize the seal: compressive load deflection curves were generated to design x-sectional areas for ideal sealing force over time.
New Material Developments The high-flow TPV used for this application did require a new material specification to be written at the OEM.
Weight Savings Versus the previous part, there was about a 25% weight savings.
Direct Cost Savings This will be submitted at a later time.
Indirect Cost Savings This will be submitted at a later time.
Direct Consumer Benefit ABSOLUTELY! reduced wind noise and water intrusion
Translates to other Vehicles? It's already being duplicated onto other platforms such as the U222/228.
Safety Benefits Driver visibility was enhanced because of the superior attachment system allowed as a result of using 2-shot molding.
Environmental Benefits The part is now completely recyclable versus the previous one.
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