Case Studies

Ford GT Hits the Road with FiberSIM
Sparta Composites, Inc., uses software for composites design to reduce engineering and manufacturing times and costs

The Ford GT40 triumphed at Le Mans for four years in a row, from 1966 to 1969. In 2003, Ford introduced an impressive tribute to the classic GT40 to mark the company’s 100th anniversary. A high-tech, high-performance supercar, employing advanced materials, components, and processes, it is called, simply, the Ford GT. According to Road & Track, it accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds and logs a quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds.

Deadlines and design challenges converged on a number of components for the Ford GT, including the deck lid inner, a support structure for the hinged clamshell cover that encloses the rear engine and wheelwells. Initially the design of the deck lid inner was a four-part aluminum assembly. Looking for cost and weight savings, the Ford GT team performed extensive analysis of manufacturing and tooling costs, production requirements and assembly costs.

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