| The search for alternative energy solutions is the | | | | the carbon-fiber panels which will serve as the |
| priority of all automakers. But while other carmakers | | | | finished body for the vehicle. Next destination for |
| are still on the initial research stage, General Motors' | | | | these parts is the Ann Arbor where the parts will be |
| Pre-Production Operations (PPO) Design Center Shop | | | | integrated into the structure if their solar race car |
| located at the automaker's Technical Center is | | | | completes with chassis components crafted of |
| providing resources to develop engineering and design | | | | carbon fiber and light-weight metals with the addition |
| solutions for Continuum, the University of Michigan's | | | | of sophisticated electronics for power and control of |
| ninth-generation solar car team. | | | | the racer. |
| Rosanne Bachor, Executive Director, Manufacturing | | | | General Motors has renewed its focus on energy |
| Engineering and alumna graduate from the University | | | | diversity in order to meet the world's demand for |
| of Michigan Engineering School and member of | | | | automobiles and at the same time making sure that |
| Tauber Manufacturing Institute's Industry Advisory | | | | no harm is done on the environment resulting from |
| Board said, "GM's leadership and PPO represented | | | | such development. The automaker has engineered |
| employees are pleased to assist in this effort and | | | | many groundbreaking technologies such as the |
| partner with the University of Michigan. We are proud | | | | creation of advanced cars like GM's E85 FlexFuel, |
| to support educational initiatives like this, and others, | | | | hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles and recently the |
| with our resources and technology." | | | | introduction of the Chevrolet Volt concept with |
| It should be noted that it was in early December that | | | | E-Flex technology, an electrically driven propulsion |
| PPO shops began receiving donated high-density | | | | system. All these are products of the relentless |
| foam panel blocks that would serve as foundation for | | | | efforts of GM's Tech Center employees. |
| the mold-making process. The math data from the | | | | "We are interested in these kinds of |
| Design Intent Engineering firm was used to make the | | | | projects-projects that incorporate innovation, |
| cutter paths for the machines while operators began | | | | technology, and natural resources, and those that |
| milling top and bottom foam "plugs" in the sleek | | | | protect our global environment with unique solutions. |
| shape of the car's body. Similarly, shapes of smaller | | | | GM is committed to energy diversity and finding |
| components were milled into high-temperature | | | | alternative propulsion breakthrough," said Bachor. |
| resistant foam blocks. And of course since the said | | | | For this year, GM's Continuum team will face the best |
| project is in collaboration with General Motors, quality | | | | teams in the world at the 2007 Panasonic World |
| auto parts and accessories were utilized. | | | | Solar Challenge, an 1800-mile trek through the |
| To complete the production implementation phase, | | | | Australian Outback. Top participants will come from |
| students and represented UAW employees will begin | | | | places as far as Turkey, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, |
| the coating the milled foam pieces with fiberglass | | | | Australia, Iran, France, and Canada and some other |
| cloth and resins that when harden will form the | | | | teams from the US. To prepare for the upcoming fall |
| upper, lower, and flange molds. | | | | race season in Australia, the Continuum team will train |
| Once the molds are complete, the students will take | | | | across 4,000 miles of American highways spanning |
| them to an aerospace facility in Lansing to fabricate | | | | between Austin, Texas, and Winnipeg, Canada. |