Mazda to cut weight on next-generation models by 400 pounds (rotary mentioned)
#51
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Mazda developed Plastic Molding technology:
Mazda Develops Plastic Molding Technology Which Reduces Consumption of Plastic Resins by 30%
As part of its efforts to reduce vehicle weight, Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new plastic molding technology that enables a substantial reduction in the weight of plastic parts used in vehicles. This plastic molding manufacturing technique cuts the consumption of plastic resins that are used as raw material by approximately 20 to 30%, with associated reductions in vehicle weight.
The most common manufacturing method for producing automobile plastic parts is injection molding. Mazda’s improved injection molding process involves mixing supercritical fluid (SCF), made from common inert gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, with the plastic resin raw material.
A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its thermodynamic critical point. It can diffuse through solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid. Compared to their natural gaseous forms, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, as supercritical fluids, increase the solubility of plastic resin and enable it to form foam with a standardized micro-cell structure.
The Mazda process utilizes a particular characteristic of SCF to mix readily with other substances at the molecular level to raise the fluidity of the liquid plastic resin and cause it to expand rapidly when injected into a mold. As a result, smaller amounts of the raw material resin are needed to fill molds.
Furthermore, by using a core back expansion molding process—which enables thicker parts to be manufactured using less plastic raw material—Mazda has successfully developed plastic with a multi-layer structure.
Core back expansion molding is a form of injection molding. Once the foamed resin has filled up the mold, the volume of the mold is increased, causing the foam to expand. This means larger plastic parts, with low density and good rigidity, can be made from the same volume of plastic resin.
The bubbles in the outer layer of the plastic are kept microscopic to ensure each part has the necessary strength and rigidity, while the size of the bubbles in the core layer can be freely adjusted to reduce its density as desired.
With this proprietary technology, substantially less material is needed to manufacture plastic parts that are lighter and have equal or greater strength and rigidity characteristics compared to conventional, non-foamed parts.
This plastic foam molding technology can potentially be applied to nearly all plastic parts used in vehicles. Because the core back molding process enables control of the foam’s structure, it is possible to add extra value by enhancing the heat insulation and acoustic characteristics of plastic parts.
Conventional plastic foaming methods use a gas formed through the thermal decomposition of organic and inorganic compounds. However, through the use of SCFs, Mazda’s foamed resin molding technology does not result in adverse effects from residual chemical compounds, has a smaller impact on the environment, and produces parts that can be easily recycled.
As part of its efforts to reduce vehicle weight, Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new plastic molding technology that enables a substantial reduction in the weight of plastic parts used in vehicles. This plastic molding manufacturing technique cuts the consumption of plastic resins that are used as raw material by approximately 20 to 30%, with associated reductions in vehicle weight.
The most common manufacturing method for producing automobile plastic parts is injection molding. Mazda’s improved injection molding process involves mixing supercritical fluid (SCF), made from common inert gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, with the plastic resin raw material.
A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its thermodynamic critical point. It can diffuse through solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid. Compared to their natural gaseous forms, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, as supercritical fluids, increase the solubility of plastic resin and enable it to form foam with a standardized micro-cell structure.
The Mazda process utilizes a particular characteristic of SCF to mix readily with other substances at the molecular level to raise the fluidity of the liquid plastic resin and cause it to expand rapidly when injected into a mold. As a result, smaller amounts of the raw material resin are needed to fill molds.
Furthermore, by using a core back expansion molding process—which enables thicker parts to be manufactured using less plastic raw material—Mazda has successfully developed plastic with a multi-layer structure.
Core back expansion molding is a form of injection molding. Once the foamed resin has filled up the mold, the volume of the mold is increased, causing the foam to expand. This means larger plastic parts, with low density and good rigidity, can be made from the same volume of plastic resin.
The bubbles in the outer layer of the plastic are kept microscopic to ensure each part has the necessary strength and rigidity, while the size of the bubbles in the core layer can be freely adjusted to reduce its density as desired.
With this proprietary technology, substantially less material is needed to manufacture plastic parts that are lighter and have equal or greater strength and rigidity characteristics compared to conventional, non-foamed parts.
This plastic foam molding technology can potentially be applied to nearly all plastic parts used in vehicles. Because the core back molding process enables control of the foam’s structure, it is possible to add extra value by enhancing the heat insulation and acoustic characteristics of plastic parts.
Conventional plastic foaming methods use a gas formed through the thermal decomposition of organic and inorganic compounds. However, through the use of SCFs, Mazda’s foamed resin molding technology does not result in adverse effects from residual chemical compounds, has a smaller impact on the environment, and produces parts that can be easily recycled.
#52
1935 lbs. FTW!
Well **** if you weight 250lb and lose 100lb, your car is now 100lb lighter.
How about the **** in the trunk? Extra passenger?
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up? Screw "UP TO 400lb", I can JUMP up to 400ft, but chances are I'll only get a foot off the ground. How about we get at LEAST 280ft-lb torque (159 currently in rx8, 280 in mazdaspeed3 - DAMN IF YOU DONT PUT MORE POWER IN YOUR SEDAN POCKET-ROCKET THAN YOU DO THE HALO SPORTS CAR), and I'll call it even for all the times some bi@tch has passed me in a car that weights more than mine and sounds like a goat gettin @$$ f*cked in a tunnel.
How about the **** in the trunk? Extra passenger?
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up? Screw "UP TO 400lb", I can JUMP up to 400ft, but chances are I'll only get a foot off the ground. How about we get at LEAST 280ft-lb torque (159 currently in rx8, 280 in mazdaspeed3 - DAMN IF YOU DONT PUT MORE POWER IN YOUR SEDAN POCKET-ROCKET THAN YOU DO THE HALO SPORTS CAR), and I'll call it even for all the times some bi@tch has passed me in a car that weights more than mine and sounds like a goat gettin @$$ f*cked in a tunnel.
#53
Row faster, I hear banjos
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I would rather lose 400 pounds than gain 40 hp any day. The only thing that extra 40 hp does is help you accelerate faster. 400 less pounds helps with acceleration, braking, turning, fuel efficiency. That's why my 1935 lb Elise kicks the RX-8's *** in every performance category with 30 less rated factory HP.
#54
news flash ladies and gentlemen... rotary sports cars have always had less power and torque than the competition. When 1st gen Rx-7 had 100hp, the 280zx had 130ish. When the 2nd gen nonturbo Rx-7 had 146, the nonturbo Supra had 200. When the 3rd gen twin turbo cars had 255, the 300zx had 300... rotary sports cars always kept up or exceeded the competitors due to superior chassis design.
#55
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Ford will not authorize a car that cannibalizes sales from the Mustang.
A turbo Renesis in a fairly lightweight chassis would kill the Mustang.
...ain't gonna happen!
A turbo Renesis in a fairly lightweight chassis would kill the Mustang.
...ain't gonna happen!
#56
uh, Ford never stopped them from making the FD which spanked the mustang in all regards. I still think they should stay NA but Ford is not gonna stop them!
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Don't think Ford will be around long enough to stop them A turbo 8 won't pose much of threat because the mustang has a unique following as does the rotary.
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But Ford didn't acquire a majority stake in MAZDA after the FD was scrapped in the US, at least that's what I think.
#59
all those rednecks driving rustangs aren't gonna buy a "piece of jap crap" it doesn't matter if its faster. if that were gonna happen, the mustang would have been scrapped, and the 300zxtt, supratt, fd, and the nsx would still be in production.
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You maybe right. I talked to someone awhile back who worked for Mazda in the 90s and he said Mazda had an FD replacement on the drawing board around the time of the Ford takeover but they didn't give it the green light. The bursting of the Japanese bubble didnt help much either Im sure. I really hope that guy Takao Kijima is on board this project much in the same way he was behind the development of 'Operation Zero' for the FD.
#61
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You obviously know nothing about sports cars. I would rather lose 400 pounds than gain 40 hp any day. The only thing that extra 40 hp does is help you accelerate faster. 400 less pounds helps with acceleration, braking, turning, fuel efficiency. That's why my 1935 lb Elise kicks the RX-8's *** in every performance category with 30 less rated factory HP. If you want to go fast and need more power just go buy a LS1 Camaro.
Also, let me make a quick remark about your Elise before you go on and compare it against an RX-8. The Elise isn't a multi-purpose car, it isn't a family car, it isn't a grocery car, it isn't anything but a lightweight sports car meant to - OH MY GOD - be fast and awesome on the track. While you're telling me to go get a camaro, which btw I would get a SVT Cobra before I got a LS1 camaro, you are completely voiding your previous comparison of the RX-8 against an Elise.
Nice try dickweed. I bet I know which picture you would pick...
So again, I stay firm with:
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up?
Last edited by simplyphp; 09-29-2008 at 10:16 PM.
#65
Huge hole is huge
Stfu dude, I never said I wanted to go fast, just that it's embarrassing getting passed in a car that looks fast, so stick your toe in your mouth and suck it. The mazdaspeed3 weighs ~3150, rx-8 weighs ~3029. 150<280 regardless if my rx-8 weights 150 less. Also, fuel consumption may have some to do with the weight but there's more to it than that nimrod, the speed3 gets better gas mileage than the rx-8 as well.
Also, let me make a quick remark about your Elise before you go on and compare it against an RX-8. The Elise isn't a multi-purpose car, it isn't a family car, it isn't a grocery car, it isn't anything but a lightweight sports car meant to - OH MY GOD - be fast and awesome on the track. While you're telling me to go get a camaro, which btw I would get a SVT Cobra before I got a LS1 camaro, you are completely voiding your previous comparison of the RX-8 against an Elise.
Nice try dickweed. I bet I know which picture you would pick...
So again, I stay firm with:
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up?
Also, let me make a quick remark about your Elise before you go on and compare it against an RX-8. The Elise isn't a multi-purpose car, it isn't a family car, it isn't a grocery car, it isn't anything but a lightweight sports car meant to - OH MY GOD - be fast and awesome on the track. While you're telling me to go get a camaro, which btw I would get a SVT Cobra before I got a LS1 camaro, you are completely voiding your previous comparison of the RX-8 against an Elise.
Nice try dickweed. I bet I know which picture you would pick...
So again, I stay firm with:
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up?
So please, get your head out of your *** and realize Mazda did not exclude the turbo just to stick it to the customer. We all want one, but they have their reasons. Weight reduction is in the right location to start with the 16X on the way.
#66
Stfu dude, I never said I wanted to go fast, just that it's embarrassing getting passed in a car that looks fast, so stick your toe in your mouth and suck it. The mazdaspeed3 weighs ~3150, rx-8 weighs ~3029. 150<280 regardless if my rx-8 weights 150 less. Also, fuel consumption may have some to do with the weight but there's more to it than that nimrod, the speed3 gets better gas mileage than the rx-8 as well.
Also, let me make a quick remark about your Elise before you go on and compare it against an RX-8. The Elise isn't a multi-purpose car, it isn't a family car, it isn't a grocery car, it isn't anything but a lightweight sports car meant to - OH MY GOD - be fast and awesome on the track. While you're telling me to go get a camaro, which btw I would get a SVT Cobra before I got a LS1 camaro, you are completely voiding your previous comparison of the RX-8 against an Elise.
Nice try dickweed. I bet I know which picture you would pick...
So again, I stay firm with:
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up?
Also, let me make a quick remark about your Elise before you go on and compare it against an RX-8. The Elise isn't a multi-purpose car, it isn't a family car, it isn't a grocery car, it isn't anything but a lightweight sports car meant to - OH MY GOD - be fast and awesome on the track. While you're telling me to go get a camaro, which btw I would get a SVT Cobra before I got a LS1 camaro, you are completely voiding your previous comparison of the RX-8 against an Elise.
Nice try dickweed. I bet I know which picture you would pick...
So again, I stay firm with:
How about Mazda adds some damn torque and optional turbo or twin turbo to the next rotary line up?
If you could, please attach a funny picture that insinuates my intelligence level is sub-par based on my lack of ability to understand the logic behind your post.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by 8is>enuff; 09-30-2008 at 10:50 AM.
#68
Grand Chancellor
No turbo rotaries in the future ok. This is from Mazda themselves. see latest Zoom-Zoom magazine.
I think direct injection is the way forward. IIRC the 16x will come with that technology. A bit late imho since alot of cars (piston) these days have it.
In terms of the comment about the elise vs. rx-8. I agree with the fella that seemed to have swallowed a lime comment. The Lotus is purpose built single focused sportscar. The fact that the rx-8 is comparable to the elise speaks alot for this unique rotary sedan. Comparing it as a overall car in itself the Elise falls short to the RX-8. Practicality, comfort, daily driving duties etc are some of the things that the Lotus will score 0. I have a feeling the Mazda will wipe the floor with the Elise in a race to ferry 4 people to a destination 30km away. But who does that on a day to day commute or school runs?
I think direct injection is the way forward. IIRC the 16x will come with that technology. A bit late imho since alot of cars (piston) these days have it.
In terms of the comment about the elise vs. rx-8. I agree with the fella that seemed to have swallowed a lime comment. The Lotus is purpose built single focused sportscar. The fact that the rx-8 is comparable to the elise speaks alot for this unique rotary sedan. Comparing it as a overall car in itself the Elise falls short to the RX-8. Practicality, comfort, daily driving duties etc are some of the things that the Lotus will score 0. I have a feeling the Mazda will wipe the floor with the Elise in a race to ferry 4 people to a destination 30km away. But who does that on a day to day commute or school runs?
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^^^What??? 2012? What happened to 2010? If thats the case it looks like I'll be in a 370Z next year. I have an 04 8 and there is no way in hell I'm waiting until 2012 for the new rotary.
#73
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You can witness Mazda's new plastic technology at work on the 2009 rx8. The "flow concept" people need to talk to the "plastic technology" people at Mazda, who then need to talk to the "consumer manufacturing" people--otherwise the plastic people will churn out a 2011 camaro in no time. Just you wait, you'll see what I mean.
Last edited by User24; 10-04-2008 at 12:41 AM.
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