The McLaren MP4-12C carbon fibre “MonoCell”
Claudio Santoni
Function Group Manager - Body Structures
Troy – September 15th 2010 McLAREN MP4-12C – Woking, England– 2010
Launched on March 2010, the MP4-12C is McLaren’s first in a range of innovative high performance sports cars CARBON FIBRE AT THE HEART OF THE 12C CF MONOCELL AIRBRAKE
595BHP 3.8L TURBO ACTIVE SUSPENSIONS HISTORY OF CARBON FIBRE CARS
In the past 30 years, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis McLAREN MP4/1 – Woking, England – 1981
The “invention” of carbon fibre F1 racing cars by McLAREN First F1 car in history to race a carbon fibre monocoque 7 World Championship Titles in the upcoming 10 years Aerospace inspired Lightness and stiffness JOHN WATSON’S CRASH – Monza, 1981
6 McLAREN F1 – Woking, England – 1993
The “invention” of carbon road cars by McLAREN First Carbon Fibre road legal car in history In 1995 winner of 24hours of Le Mans – at his debut In 1998 fastest production car in the world at 240Mph Still the fastest naturally aspirated production car in the world McLaren Mercedes SLR – Woking, England – 2003
A selection of Carbon Fibre Technologies Adhesively bonded CF sections Best selling supercar ever (2,114 between 2003 and 2009) Up to 4 complete body per day MP4-12C CF MonoCell – Woking, England – 2010
DEFINING THE CONCEPT
BODY STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY MP4-12C MonoCell: DEFINING THE CONCEPT
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION PURE STRUCTURE • Designed around the occupants • Single piece moulding for excellent integrity • Every shape, every line has a reason • No “Cosmetic” function – pure structure MP4-12C CF MonoCell: DEFINING THE CONCEPT
STIFFNESS TO WEIGHT RATIO SURVIVAL CELL • Hollow construction • Designed to protect the occupants • Less than 80kg • Formula1 inspired • 4 years of virtual simulation and optimization MP4-12C MonoCell: MANUFACTURING PROCESS
1. CARBON FIBRE LAYUP • Multiaxial NCF and Stitched UD • Potential for automation
2. MONOCOQUE RTM MOULDING • Fully automated RTM work cell – 4 hours ftf • Single piece Monocoque moulding •Excellent Dimensional accuracy and consistency • Scalability
3. FINISHING • Postcuring • 5 axis cnc machining • Finishing and QA MP4-12C MonoCell: SUPPLY CHAIN
12C Assembly at the new McLAREN PRODUCTION CENTRE (MPC) in Woking, UK
MonoCell Manufacturing by CARBOTECH (Austria) CF MONOCELL CONCEPT By McLAREN AUTOMOTIVE
• Fibres by TORAY
• Epoxy resin by HUNTSMAN
• Tools and Machinery – various suppliers THANK YOU!