A single, stamped-metal insert, overmolded, replaces an all-metal construction as automotive systems supplier Trelleborg Automotive uses the water injection technique for the first time at the company in the molding of a new thermoplastic brake pedal it has developed.
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| Trelleborg uses WIT to form its plastic brake pedals. |
The new hybrid brake pedal blends glass fiber-reinforced polyamide and metal, a combination that the company says delivers a weight saving of 30-50% compared to traditional, metal brake pedals. The new pedal also enables cost-savings as a result of more efficient production. Loic Lefebvre, product engineer, Trelleborg Automotive, said, "Our new hybrid brake pedal delivers a win-win situation for car manufacturers who are seeking to reduce overall part costs, as well as reducing their carbon footprint."
The hybrid brake pedal comprises a single, stamped-metal insert that is overmolded with thermoplastic using water injection technology, delivering the complete and final assembly in a one-step process. "The use of water injection technology to create a complete hollow part along the pedal arm enables us to greatly improve the mechanical behavior of the hybrid brake pedal, which is another added benefit of the product", added Lefebvre.
