Visualization Tool 3D Demonstrator - Global Magnesium Parts In Serial Production

The International Magnesium Association developed a 3D demonstrator which can be used to visualize parts manufactured with magnesium including structural, BIW, transmission, and interior applications.

Related Companies

GF Casting Solutions AG

Fondarex SA

Godfrey & Wing Inc.

IMA's automotive demonstrator provides an interactive tool for visualizing magnesium parts used in serial production. As automakers strive to improve fuel efficiency and improve performance by reducing overall vehicle weight, the use of lightweight magnesium parts in vehicles is increasing. Currently, models in production use between 5 kg and 30 kg in magnesium parts. Given that magnesium is 33 % lighter than aluminum and 75 % lighter than steel, there is significantly more potential for lightweight magnesium applications across a broad range of product types.

Seven of the parts integrated in the demonstrator come from GF Casting Solutions AG. With an oilsump, for example, which saves 47 % more weight than aluminum, or a window frame that has 35 % less of mass than the aluminum version, the company is setting a good example in terms of lightweight design. "With structural parts in magnesium like the cross car beam or the front end carrier, we achieve not only significant weight reduction, but also decrease the number of single parts and assembly steps", says Michael Just, team leader die casting/light metals at GF Casting Solutions AG. "Also in the drive train we develop magnesium high pressure die casting parts achieving weight reduction up to 45 % compared to aluminum. This is not only due to the shift from aluminum to magnesium, but also to the optimally adapted casting design, which is carried out in-house and leads to a reduction in wall thickness."

In order to promote many more applications for magnesium and to enable maximum lightweight construction by using high pressure die casting, GF and IMA maintain a long-standing partnership.

How Does the Demonstrator Work?

Explore and use the 3D demonstrator to display the parts manufactured with magnesium including structural, BIW (body-in-white), transmission, and interior applications. Click the components in the legend on the left to learn more. There is also a pdf part available, and with the Full Screen Option, it can be present directly from the interactive web feature.

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