Design and Validation of Fixation Points of Polymeric Components for the Automotive Industry

The incorporation of polymeric materials in car structure components, over the years, has been playing a key role in the automotive sector, enabling the production of more efficient and ecological vehicles. Among the many options to fix these components, there are clips and snap-fits, which facilitate assembly and disassembly, and reduce the total mass. This work arises from the need for a more rigorous control involving some internal standardized fixation points of polymeric components, namely door panels. Experimental tests were carried out according to the specifications of the automotive brand, to enable incorporation as standard components. Using the Finite Element Method (FEM), numerical simulations were performed, and the approach validated. Improvement of the fixation point was next undertaken, by making changes in the areas that were identified as critical. The improved fixation point met the specifications, and it was proposed as new geometry for standard door panels.