Making Light Work

Composites could have significant potential for of the production of jigs. This potential is illustrated by the first carbon fibre-reinforced (CFRP) jig to be used in North America, which was employed to install the bonnet of the Ford Mustang some ten years ago.

The lead researcher on the project, Western Washington University Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) director Eric Leonhardt says: “At the time we built our hood jig, I was aware of one other application in the UK in which a composite tool was used in automotive assembly.”