The problem was the time needed to prepare the shoring. The component is bonded to the car via five individual bars. In the original version, five adhesive strips had to be applied to the bars and then individually freed from the liner (covering material) in order to bond the aerofin. 

We have developed a time-saving solution for the customer. In this case, all five adhesive strips are placed together on a continuous liner with the appropriate spacing. In order to place them precisely on the component, small slits and optical features were laser-cut into the liner as positioning aids. The liner also protrudes on both sides and serves as a finger lift.

The adhesive parts can therefore be applied to the component quickly and with a precise fit. In just one step the liner of all bars can be removed and the component then can be assembled to the car. Overall, the joining process could be shortened from approx. 60 to 15 seconds.

The aerofin is installed by hand – this means that the pressure during installation can always vary slightly depending on the employee. In addition, inaccurate installation can lead to rattling noises during the ride.

To ensure that the aerofin seals tightly even with varying pressure and to prevent noise, a both-side adhesive spacer pad was constructed. It is placed on the upper edge of the fin and is equipped with an extra tear-resistant liner. So the part can be mounted first and the liner is removed afterwards. 

Alternatively, the product can also be equipped with an adhesive foam on one side – in this case a liner would not be necessary.

In addition, the aerofin has been equipped with a protective film to ensure that the outer shell is not damaged during assembly and transport.