Great Designs in Steel Seminar Draws Record-Breaking Attendance

GDIS proved technology transfer at its best with 37 presentations in four concurrent tracks.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, AISI's Automotive Applications Committee (AAC) welcomed 1,565 engineers from OEM and auto supplier companies to the fifth Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) Seminar.

The seminar debuted in 2002, drawing over 450 attendees, and focused on the results of the ULSAB-AVC project and its innovative application of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). In 2006, attendees numbering three and a half times the original audience enjoyed presentations and exhibits featuring cutting-edge steel technology.

"This event has gone from the steel industry suggesting what might be done with the new AHSS, to the automotive industry reporting what is currently being done in vehicles today and what is planned for tomorrow," said Ron Krupitzer, vice president, Automotive Applications of AISI.

Leading off the seminar was James L. Wainscott, chairman, president, and CEO, AK Steel Corporation, with opening remarks about Great Designs in Steel and about the state of the steel industry.

Wainscott commented on the importance of steel in today's vehicles. He explained that some 65 percent of the vehicle mass is steel, a number that has changed ever so slightly in 20 years.

"Steel products, however, certainly change," said Wainscott. "Better corrosion resistance, wider coils and sheets, thinner gauges, better quality and, of course, higher strengths."

Commenting on the current state of the steel industry, Wainscott stated, "Today, the steel industry is stronger and is ready to face new issues. In spite of the past challenges, our vision of the North American steel industry is now brighter and we see new possibilities for the future."

Ronald Nock, president and CEO of Severstal North America, drove home the idea of success through collaboration at the lunch break. "Either cut costs, get global, modernize, collaborate where it makes sense, and satisfy your customers or you won't survive."

Nock cited several successful auto/steel collaborative projects, reiterating Jim Wainscott's remarks on the $44 million ULSAB projects funded by world steel. "This was the most significant partnership involving steel that the world has ever seen," Nock said.

He further detailed the successes of several Auto/Steel Partnership projects including the closure project involving a baseline Jeep Liberty; the Lightweight Front End Structure study for improving crash management in light front-end structures; the project to evaluate the stiffness of welded frame joints in light trucks and sports utility vehicles, which resulted in the development of a Welded Joint Toolbox; the work on lightweighting using advanced high-strength steels, some of which was in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, a project known as FreedomCAR.

The final example of successful collaboration cited by Nock was the IMPACT project, which stands for Improved Materials and Powertrain Architectures for 21st Century Trucks. Partners in this collaborative work were Ford Motor Company, U.S. Army TACOM, American Iron and Steel Institute, Mississippi State University and the University of Louisville.

"Needless to say, our two industries will continue to face significant challenges in the years to come. Vehicles must get lighter, must get stronger, must get safer and must become more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Which means we must provide better and more cost effective steels for you to work with," Nock concluded.

In addition to OEM presentations, 19 presenters covered a range of technology subjects from sophisticated applications in powertrain, fuel tanks, wheels and suspensions to high-tech manufacturing tips for stamping, rolling, tooling, forging and joining.

In addition to the technical sessions, state-of-the-art displays put form to the various presentations. The vehicle displays included the 2006 Pontiac Solstice Body-in-White, Ford Fusion Cutaway, BMW 3-Series Body-in-White and Chrysler Caliber Cutaway.

Other exhibits included the Auto/Steel Partnership and Department of Energy front-end crashed vehicle, steel wheels, fuel tanks, bumper systems, suspension systems, forging components, and the scale models from the most recent College for Creative Studies internship program.

Customers and suppliers gave strong feedback to AISI about the value of the information covered in the technical sessions and exhibits. They especially appreciated the networking opportunities for engineers.

Presentations from Great Designs in Steel 2006 are available for download at www.autosteel.org. For more information, contact Deanna Lorincz.