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JCI Touts Low-Cost Carbon Fiber Seatmaking Process

Johnson Controls Inc. says it has developed a cost-effective process to make carbon-fiber-reinforced car seats that are 40% lighter than conventional designs.

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Johnson Controls Inc. says it has developed a cost-effective process to make carbon-fiber-reinforced car seats that are 40% lighter than conventional designs.

The system can make some 200,000 of the ultra-light seats per production line, according to the company. It predicts the technology will be ready for commercial application by 2019.

JCI's process is called CAMISMA, short for carbon-amide-metal-based interior structure using a multi-material system approach. It blends multiple materials and "highly concentrated" carbon fibers make structural parts that replace traditional metal components.

JCI says initial testing indicates the resulting seat structure meets all rear-end crash test strength requirements. The company adds that CAMISMA significantly reduces the manufacturing steps required, thus reducing cost.

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