Composite Materials Provide Lightweight Durability for Wiper Components in Autonomous EV

In order to meet European regulations, Local Motors was required to make adjustments to its Olli 2.0 autonomous vehicle, including additional components in windshield wipers and parts. The Local Motors team turned to CRP Technology and its 3D printable Windform® composite materials to create the necessary components. 

The Olli 2.0 is tall and rectangular in shape, with exceptionally large windows. The Local Motors team opted to retrofit the existing vehicle based on the original design, including a new front bumper, to fix both the wiper motor and the washer reservoir. In the first attempt at the design, the motor protruded from the bumper, so a decision was made to add coordinated covers to conceal the motor and to protect the reservoir. 

Carlo Iacovini, General Manager EMEA, Local Motors, called on CRP Technology. Mr. Iacovini explained, “We wanted to collaborate with an European firm, therefore we contacted CRP Technology, a company I have known for a long time and with which I have collaborated on relevant projects. Relying on CRP was the winning choice: the uniqueness of Windform® materials in terms of quality and strength allow achieving optimal results in a short time.” 

The CRP team 3D printed the cover for the wipers starter motor using the polyamide-based carbon fiber reinforced composite material Windform® XT 2.0. The material allowed designers to create the look they desired while maintaining the functionality and electromagnetic compatibility needed to support the oscillatory movement of the motor. The strength and stiffness of the materials hold up to the stress and vibrations experienced on the roads. 

The washer reservoir flap valve was created from the polyamide-based glass fiber-reinforced composite material Windform® LX 3.0, allowing quick access to the component while also meeting the aesthetics required and protecting the part. 

The parts were installed on the Olli 2.0 and tested by Local Motors with excellent results. 


More from Composites Magazine

19 Nov 2024  |  Market Segments

What Am I Worried About?

19 Nov 2024  |  Market Segments

Explore Every Avenue for Talented Employees

19 Nov 2024  |  Market Segments, Transportation

Composites Make Super Trucks

31 Jul 2024  |  Market Segments

Staying Informed on Hot Industry Topics

31 Jul 2024  |  Market Segments

Report from the Field: Highway Sustainability

31 Jul 2024  |  Market Segments

Robotics Aim for the Sky

31 Jul 2024  |  Market Segments

Strengthening the Power Grid

24 May 2024  |  Market Segments

Leading the Way in Sustainability

24 May 2024  |  Market Segments

Setting Sail for Sustainability

24 May 2024  |  Architecture, Market Segments

FRP Enhances Sculpture Reproduction

24 May 2024  |  Market Segments

Closing the Skilled Workforce Gap

23 Feb 2024  |  Market Segments

2024 State of the Industry Report

23 Feb 2024  |  Market Segments

Promising Polymers

23 Feb 2024  |  Market Segments

Benchmark Your Company’s Sustainability Program

23 Feb 2024  |  Market Segments

Be an Industry Leader, Not a Lagger

08 Nov 2023  |  Market Segments

Sustainability Starts with an LCA

08 Nov 2023  |  Market Segments

Innovators Should Consider R&D Tax Advantages

08 Nov 2023  |  Market Segments

ACMA Offers a Wealth of Information

08 Nov 2023  |  Market Segments

3D-Printed Tooling Is Taking Off

05 Aug 2023  |  Market Segments

Opportunities in Thermoplastic Pultrusion

05 Aug 2023  |  Market Segments

Decarbonization in Composites Manufacturing

05 Aug 2023  |  Market Segments

A Change Leader

10 May 2023  |  Market Segments

VIP Treatment

10 May 2023  |  Market Segments

Smoother Sailing for Composites Supply Chain

10 May 2023  |  Market Segments

Bright Horizons for ACMA as My Era Ends

10 May 2023  |  Market Segments

Is There an EPD in Your Future?

15 Feb 2023  |  Market Segments

Wind Blades of a Different Stripe

15 Feb 2023  |  Market Segments

2023 State of the Industry Report

15 Feb 2023  |  Market Segments

Pulling Power

15 Feb 2023  |  Market Segments

Optimism in 2023? You Bet!

15 Feb 2023  |  Market Segments

A Cure for Aging Pipelines

30 Jan 2023  |  Infrastructure, Market Segments

Educating and Engaging End Users in Construction and Infrastructure

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

Royal Navy Upgrades Patrol Boats

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

Revolutionary Research

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

Our Industry Is on the Rise

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

Fifth Wheel’s CFRP Beam Mitigates Rollovers

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

Eye-Catching Architecture

11 Nov 2022  |  Market Segments

AI Applications Move Mainstream

02 Aug 2022  |  Market Segments

Understanding Fire Codes – Part 2

02 Aug 2022  |  Market Segments

Utility Poles that Can Beat the Heat

02 Aug 2022  |  Market Segments

Positioning Composites in Automotive Production

02 Aug 2022  |  Market Segments

Biocomposites in Wind Energy

02 Aug 2022  |  Market Segments

An Innovator’s Insight into Aviation

04 May 2022  |  Market Segments

Working in Tandem

04 May 2022  |  Market Segments

Graphene Gains Traction

10 Feb 2022  |  Market Segments, Tech Talk

Safe Storage and Handling of Organic Peroxides

10 Feb 2022  |  Market Segments

Faster Prints, Lower Costs

06 Feb 2022  |  Market Segments

Continued Growth in Consumer Goods

06 Feb 2022  |  Market Segments

2022 State of the Industry Report

06 Feb 2022  |  Marine, Market Segments

GFRP Takes Center Stage in Floating Docks

06 Feb 2022  |  Aerospace, Market Segments

Digital Twin Drives Propeller Improvements

17 Jan 2022  |  Industry Digest, Market Segments

A One-Person Flying Machine Made of Carbon Fiber is Now Available

20 Nov 2021  |  Market Segments

Finishing Touches

19 Nov 2021  |  Market Segments

Refrigerated Boxcar Benefits from FRP Floor

11 Aug 2021  |  Market Segments, Sports & Recreation

GFRP Graphene Pools Debut Down Under

11 Aug 2021  |  Infrastructure, Market Segments

Composite Bridge Breaks New Ground

06 Aug 2021  |  Market Segments

Committed to Innovation

04 Jun 2021  |  Energy, Industry Digest, Market Segments

GE Developing Controls to Support 12 MW Offshore Wind Turbines

01 Jun 2021  |  For Fun, Industry Digest, Market Segments

Electric Scooter 3D Printed of Continuous Carbon Fiber Thermoplastic Composite

29 Apr 2021  |  Market Segments

Connecting with Customers

15 Feb 2021  |  Market Segments

2021 State of the Industry Report

15 Feb 2021  |  Market Segments

Realigning Around Pultrusion

27 Oct 2020  |  Market Segments

A New CAMX for a New Time

27 Oct 2020  |  Market Segments

Embedding Sensors for Smarter Manufacturing

31 Aug 2020  |  Market Segments

The Technology Behind Bigger Innovation

10 Jul 2020  |  Market Segments

Thermosets Expand Opportunities in 3D Printing

10 Jul 2020  |  Market Segments

Autonomous Aircraft Goes the Distance

10 Jul 2020  |  Market Segments

Turning Ideas into Innovations

06 May 2020  |  Market Segments

Reclaim, Reuse and Reap the Rewards

06 May 2020  |  Market Segments

FRP’s Future in Vertical Construction

06 May 2020  |  Market Segments

On the Cusp of a Transportation Transformation

30 Apr 2020  |  Industry Digest, Market Segments, Military

Army Developed Multi-Filament Polymer for 3D Printing in the Field

05 Mar 2020  |  Market Segments

Faster Speed, Greater Opportunity

03 Jan 2020  |  Market Segments

Graphene Gaining Strength in Composites Markets

05 Dec 2019  |  Automotive, Industry Digest, Market Segments

Ford and McDonald’s Are Caffeinating Automotive Component Sustainability

25 Oct 2019  |  Market Segments

A Two-Step Process for 3D Printing

25 Oct 2019  |  Market Segments

The Future Looks Bright

01 Nov 2016  |  Market Segments

Smoothing the Surface

23 May 2016  |  Industry Digest, Market Segments

EnvisionTEC Unveils First Disruptive Industrial Scale Composite 3D Printer

SUBSCRIBE TO CM MAGAZINE

Composites Manufacturing Magazine is the official publication of the American Composites Manufacturers Association. Subscribe to get a free annual subscription to Composites Manufacturing Magazine and receive composites industry insights you can’t get anywhere else.