Fender Design

Hi fellows,

Fender Design is challenge that should be done.First I want to tell that,Fender is a Automotive Body part that have a function to encircle and protect tire,wheels and surrounding parts.There are also some stone particles on the streets and Fender has a function to protect pedestrians on the streets as well as car itslef from stone flying parts under the tires.So,basic function is to protect pedestrians and car from stone particles,mud,liquids that are flying under the car’s tires.

On Fender could be attached also blinkers,rearview mirrors,bumpers and various attached body parts.

There are also basicaly two Fender types – Full and Half bumper types.Nowadays Half bumper type is mainly used,where is possible,because of smaller dimensions,weight reduction and manufacturing lower costs and better availability to assembly other car body parts such as headlights,bumpers,various plastic parts etc.

By designing and mounting Fender there are some regulations to be considered.For a mounting there are principal 5 mounting areas to mount on chasis such as A-pillar,Body,Drip,Sill and Cowl.The most influentual part for mount is a Drip area.

By designing a Drip area the first what should be considered is a space for cowl area (rear part of fender,where whiperblades motor is going to be placed for example) and a front part of fender (where headlights are going to be installed).Basicaly for a cowl area we need at least 200mm and for a headlight area at least 150mm.The area in between is planed to be Drip area,area for mounting Fender on Body part.

Drip area is normaly designed with a length less than 800mm.When length is less than 800mm Drip is cca 8mm deep and with a length more than 800mm deep is going till 13mm.Various stiffeners are to be considered.Drip area is always constructed under angle (cca 3deg) and normaly stamped till 40mm to ensure manufacturability and to prevent spring-back effect of the part.Drip is so constructed to prevent visibility under the hood (with cca 3 deg angle and with 6-8mm offset face on inner side,to engine compartment).Finally Drip area is done with surface for mounting till 37mm and bending part at the end,to ensure more stiffenes to the part.That distance is given to provide enough place for mounting Fender on Body part.

Distance from Fender end till engine compartment should be at least 10mm.

One more important measure is distance from line under 45deg that is tangent to outer Fender surface till Drip surface as shown on image bellow.That distance should be less as 50mm.If it is more,it should be discussed with design team to make some changes on Fender design.

So,taking all needed regulations to design Fender I have opened given Fender Skin part.

Then I have designed surface to prepare Fender to mounting areas as shown.

On so designed areas,that are planed to be mounted areas I have designed embosses and holes to ensure Fender mounting on vehicle Body part.

Afterwards I have bented all sharp edges to get a properly designed Fender that is manufacturable also.

I have also added stiffeners to the part to make a Fender stiffer and to prevent springback effect.

Finally I have thickened the part as needed for a 0.75mm.

On the image bellow is shown Fender designed regarding all regulations required for a Fender design and mentioned in sections above.

Thank you for reading this article.

Best regards,

Ivan Tole