Dr. Carlos Engler-Pinto Jr.
Ford Motor Company
Abstract: “ICME Development of Carbon Fiber Composites for Lightweight Vehicles” was a project funded by the American Department of Energy, with a broad research team including Ford Motor Company, Northwestern University, Dow Chemical, University of Maryland, LSTC, Autodesk, HBM and ESTECO.
The mechanical properties of a composite depend not only on resin and fiber properties, but also layout of the fibers and the bonding between matrix and fibers. The numerical tools developed and integrated into ICME framework included those for preforming and compression molding simulation, multiscale models for continuous and chopped fiber composites which link material micro and meso structures to macro mechanical properties, crash analysis and testing and modeling methods of fatigue analysis. The ICME tools have been used for a simultaneous optimization of component design and manufacturing of a multi-material subframe that achieves a ≥25% weight reduction at an additional variable cost of ≤$4.27/lb of weight saved when compared to baseline stamped steel technology to be replaced.
Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from The State University of Campinas in Brazil and obtained his PhD in Materials Sciences from the Swiss Institute of Technology in Switzerland in 1996. He has joined Ford Motor Company in 2001, where he works as a Technical expert in Fatigue and Durability. Dr. Engler-Pinto is responsible for developing models and mechanical properties for CAE Durability simulations of different materials, including metals, polymers and composites.
Email: cenglerp@ford.com