Re: [DML] Hand Built DeLoreans

["therealdmcvegas" <DMCVegas@xxxx>]

( modertors note: It's fun to speculate but we're begining to come around full circle with some of the posts, not this one, and it's begining to dominate the list. I'm going to kill the subject for now unless there is specific information aout this happening. Right now it's based on nothing more than daydreams. )



The manufacturing if the underbody molds is no problem at all. 4 molds in 
total are required to comprise the two sets: Top and Bottom.

The manufacturing process is just as simple. Drop some sheets of fiberglass, 
and some foam for the structural beams, pump in resein, and apply a vacuum. 
Next, pop out both molds, slap on some adhesive and staples, and let the 
newly formed shell cure. Once done curing, cut out the windscreen and other 
sections, and you've got a brand-new underbody ready to bolt onto a rolling 
chassis! This is the exact same process that Lotus uses, except that they 
would then primer and paint the car, where as a DMC-12 would simply have 
its doors attached, and then the body panels mounted and aligned. Plus, 
Lotus doesn't sell that many new Esprits either, and they can afford the molds. 

The process at the factory was not so much different, as it was slightly 
modified. But, that is because they were intended to be produced in a much 
larger amount at a time. Differences in the process were running the 
underbodies thru an oven in order to speed up the curing process, and 
automated, high-pressure water jets that would cut out the nessisary panels 
automaticly, and quickly.

The question though is wheather or not DMCH would need permission to 
make these molds using this technology. Originally, GRP (Glass Reinforeced 
Plastic) was the intended process/composite that was intended to make up 
the underbody. However, GRP had not yet been used in an automotive 
application, and was understanbly dropped in favor for VIRM (Vaccum 
Injection Reservior Moulding) developed by Lotus Cars Ltd. If I'm wrong, then 
someone please correct me on this, but as I read it, part of the engineering 
fees paid out to Lotus also comprised of a license for use of the VIRM 
technology. GRP was also licensed, and in the bankruptcy, I believe it's usage 
license was sold off (there is a footnote that states the purchaser had applied 
it to some other application, and was turning sales of $50M+). So my question 
is what would have become of the VIRM liciense, and could it's effect possibly 
hinder the development of the new car?

-Robert
vin 6585 "X"



--- In dmcnews@xxxx, <eric@xxxx> wrote:
> Hey guys
> 
> If Houston made 500 new deloreans, what about the VIRM underbodies? I
> presume they require molds to create, and it looked like a pretty fancy
> manufacturing process to piece it all together. Could Houston bear the cost
> of making molds and dies for the panels and the underbody for just 500 
cars?
> 
> my 2 cents
> 
> Eric Itzel
> Vin #04433