Ford F-250 Running Board

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Ford F-250

Molded-in Structural Brackets Eliminate Secondary Attachments or Need for Metal Brackets
UV Stabilized Composition for Outdoor Durability
Molded-in Color Eliminates the Need to Paint
Textured Surface for Enhanced Appearance
Heavily Ribbed Cross Sections Emphasize Massive Part Appearance
Finished Part Strength and Style Using the Patented CPI Compression Transfer Process

Automotive running boards have traditionally been

Underside of running board

made out of a metal sub structure with a plastic TPO cover providing aesthetics. An all-composite running board posed tremendous weight savings along with significant cost reduction to the OEM. With all of the benefits of an all-composite running board there were some technical challenges that required a high strength material to meet the structural demands. One of the strength requirements for the previous metal boards was to be able to withstand a 600 lb load at the center of the board with minimal deflection. CPI’s long fiber composite running board tested at over 1500 lbs, which eliminated the OEM’s concern that a thermoplastic composite board would not be strong enough. This was almost 2.5 times the load that the steel board could withstand before it would experience too much deflection.

Top of running board

The all-composite running board allowed the OEM to benefit from weight savings and cost reduction without compromising on strength or appearance. Of all available materials and technologies tested, CPI’s technology provided the only long fiber solution to both criteria, while still meeting cost requirements.

Aesthetics With Outdoor Durability...

In normal use, a running board is fully exposed on the exterior of the vehicle, emphasizing the need for a molded part with automotive quality surface appearance. Additionally, the thermoplastic composite must withstand exposure to ultraviolet radiation and a broad spectrum of automotive solvents, oils and cleaning materials without demonstrating a significant color shift for a minimum period of five years. CPI combines materials, compounding and molding expertise to produce a molded part with exceptional aesthetic quality, outdoor durability and chemical resistance.

Robust Systems Technology Satisfies Customer Needs...

Close up of running board

CPI’s patented thermoplastic compression transfer molding and in-line compounding hardware systems have proven that in “real world” production environments they will produce composite materials and molded articles which meet and exceed OEM/Tier 1 requirements. Molded running boards are produced economically by the continuous compounding of polypropylene thermoplastic resin and long glass fiber reinforcement in-line with the molding process. The thermoplastic composite is custom formulated to exacting specifications established for this individual application. The efficiency and reliability of CPI compounding and molding systems insures the ability to consistently meet JIT delivery schedules.

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