Polymers Keep Engine Innovation Running Smoothly

Abstract

In manufacturing, the latest innovations in equipment, processes and materials often get tested first by automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers. A good example of this is the Polimotor, an all-plastic engine that inventor Matti Holtzberg has worked on for nearly 40 years. The impetus behind the Polimotor is to demonstrate how plastic can be used in place of metal to reduce the weight of an engine, as well as interior, exterior and under-the-hood components. Holtzberg launched the Polimotor project in the late 1970s, and by 1984, convinced a racing car owner to equip the vehicle with the first version of the 2.3-liter engine for a series of International Motor Sports Association events. The engine was mounted in a Lola T616 aluminum chassis.