RACEForm project is designed to catalyse cost-effective light-weighting of high volume vehicle platforms using
a robust UK supply chain.The enabling technology, Hot Form Quench HFQ® was developed in Imperial College
& the University of Birmingham & has a unique capability to produce, at high speed, complex high-strength
aluminium components for body-in-white & chassis applications. The RACEForm projects takes this unique
technology, proven for niche vehicle applications, through to a readiness for application in high volume SUV &
electric vehicles by combining the expertise of Impression Technologies (who own the HFQ
Ò
technology),
Gestamp (a global leader in automotive stampings), Innoval (a leading aluminium technology consulting
company), Imperial College & Brunel University. The project will aim to reduce production cost via cycle time
improvements, validate joining & crash performance & even develop an approach for utilising recycled
aluminium for critical structural components delivering lower CO2 emissions, embedded carbon content of
the vehicle, production cost & (via weight savings) range/performance of electric versions of platforms.