ROAD READY Manufacturing updates and innovations to get to 0 To achieve its thin, light goals for the new 0 platform, Honda developed new manufacturing techniques and has made large machine investments that will arrive at the Ohio plant in the coming year. The company has invested in six 6,000-ton mega-casting machines that will initially be used to manufacture the battery case for the 0 platform. Eventually, these machines will be expanded to manufacture body frames like the rear module. These huge machines will be able to produce modular battery cases for different-sized vehicles that Honda will build on the platform (both sedans and SUVs), and Honda will use 3D friction stir welding (FSW). The technique reduces the amount of heat put into parts, thus reducing deformation while improving the strength and air-tightness between joints. The company developed the technique on its ATV vehicles and first used it in mass production for the front body frame under the Accord starting in 2012. Honda has also pioneered a welding 20240708 Magnequench SAE Ad Half Page FA - outlined.pdf 1 8/7/24 3:30 PM technique called Constant DC Chopping (CDC), which allows the welding of thinner and thicker pieces of high-tensile steel with less splatter and better connection. Honda has leveraged what it has learned from inverter technology used in everything from their manufacturing lines to their experience in generators to manage the heat distribution in the weld and keep it constant, ensuring a better connection. Honda says it can roll out CDC welding by replacing the welding guns and simply adding software to the weld and robot controllers. The company will start by rolling the technology out to the 0 manufacturing line and then apply it to their ICE and HEV products, resulting in around 20% Honda worked with Hitachi Astemo on the new e-Axle motors that will be used in future Honda 0 platform. The inverter is located next to the motor. weight savings across the entire fleet. Honda also plans to roll out machine vision and AI to digitize the quality assurance of human workers and improve C M Y CM MY CY CMY K experts@magnequench.com sales@magnequench.com Magnequench Korat NEO Performance Materials Silmet Magnequench Tianjin ho View our Sustainability Report at sales@magnequench.com onnect with us to explore e can collaborate. Connect with us to explore how we can collaborate. View our Sustainability Report at www.neomaterials.com/sustainability/ View our Sustainability Report at www.neomaterials.com/sustainability/ Magnequench: Leading Magnet Innovation AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING December 2024 15 Discover the future of magnetics with Magnequench. ABIGAIL BASSETThttp://info.hotims.com/86278-705