Laser surface engineering of automotive components

Some automotive body components, such as hoods, decklids and doors, are currently being made from non-metals. In particular, the usage of sheet molding compound (SMC) for hoods and decklids is very common. The alternative to the SMC substrate material is the stamped metal parts which require multiple stamping operations and resistance spot welding to create an assembly which could be used in the different body openings. The advantage of SMC material is the ability to make final parts of complex geometrical shape along with fastening tabs and bosses in a single molding operation. Weight savings and corrosion resistance can also be realized due to this material applications. Though hoods and decklids can be made by adhesive bonding of inner and outer panels fabricated out of sheet molding compound, these early materials did not have sufficient surface re-producibility to provide the quality assemblies required.