An interesting story and video on how Lexus developed carbon-fiber and high-tech parts for the LF-A.


http://translogic.aolautos.com/2011/..._lnk2%7C211833


Unless you've been living under a rock this past year, you'll likely recognize the car above. The Lexus LFA is one of the most high-tech supercars on the road – even the tachometer had to be made digital in order to display the rapid engine revs. But, did you know that Lexus called an audible during the design to add even more high-tech materials?

The video below shows off the new way Lexus engineers are able to weave carbon fiber in the vehicle's chassis. By using a "3D loom" Lexus is able to create carbon fiber objects that can be more easily molded into a finished part, bringing costs down.

The main lesson here is that, when striving for perfection, sometimes the only way is the hard way.

 

called an Audible? what the heck is that? An audible?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossar...rican_football

audible

A play called by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to make a change from the play that was called in the huddle.

 

Old news but it can never get old. No other player does this. This is a technology for the ages, one that should be commended. Toyota learned to make their own CF weave using their old experience in weaving. Amazing!

 

Simply an astonishing piece of equipment! Very nice, Toyota

 

old news, but look at my avatar!

 

connecting the dots... this makes sense since Toyota STARTED as a loom manufacturer.

from wikipedia

 

I expect good things, as so much of this advanced technology trickles down into regular premium cars soon enough.

 

Comes full circle.

I hope so but am not holding my breathe. CF cannot be fixed when broken, it has to be replaced. So maybe they are working on making the parts cheap enough where replacement costs are near fixing costs of steel. Would be something.

 

or another approach, use CF in parts of the car in the 'middle' so that the only time they get damaged is when the car's a write-off anyway.

 

Yes and in the modern era the repairability is less common to avoid large amounts of expensive labor costs, it's often more about removal/replacement.

 

Good points you two.

That is technology.