EBM - PABST AND DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS COLLABORATION LEADS TO INNOVATIVE FAN IN LED HEADLAMPS FOR HELLA Arnite ® PET XL for Low Fogging and Extreme Low Moisture Absorbtion Advanced LED chips with increased light output , can now be used for automotive headlamps . Because of their long service life and compact size , LED lamps have become an attractive alternative to gas discharge lamps . Big advantages are the high endurance and new design possibilities . In addition , their high efficiency saves energy and and thus fuel . However , since the active chip surface is rather small , it requires adequate cooling . Fans optimized to the special needs of automotive headlamps deliver the required air flow for active cooling . In all this , high reliability and long life are indispensible for all headlamp components . For these reasons , premium automotive manufacturer Cadillac relies on Full - LED headlamps ( Figure 1 ) developed by Hella for the High - low beam and daytime running lights ( DRL ) of its Escalade Platinum model ( Figure 2 ) . In the development of the fans for these new headlamp units , fan specialist EBM - PABST from St . Georgen in the Black Forest ( Germany ) consulted the experts at DSM Engineering Plastics for identifying suitable materials with optimized outgassing properties for this application . The collaboration resulted in a completely new cooling air supply concept ( Figure 3 ) , molded in DSM ’ s newly developed Arnite ® PET XL which exhibits extremely low outgassing . Demanding Material RequirementsAll automotive components are subject to permanent vibration and positive as well as negative acceleration , caused by e . g . bad road conditions and potholes . Furthermore , in the environment of the engine compartment , the fans operate in a very wide temperature range . As usual , the fan components are injection molded . The specially developed Arnite PET was selected in order to eliminate outgassing problems . Richard Frissen , Business Development Manager Automotive Lighting at DSM , supported the EBM - PABST development team in meeting the complex design challenges . The material requirements for the new application resulted in clear property specifications with particular regard to stiffness , strength , density and low warpage behaviour . Next to the material ’ s outgassing properties , another key consideration was material costs . Arnite PET XL was tailored to this application . In contrast to conventional PBT , it meets all dynamic requirements of the fans . In comparison with PPA , its lower moisture absorption significantly improved the dimensional stability while also minimizing the warpage and weight of the parts . This facilitated the optimization of the fans ’ dynamic performance and also improved their balance properties . Altogether , Arnite PET XL met the specifications profile best . The thermoplastic polyester material therefore received approval from EBM - PABST and Hella as the material for series production of the headlamp fans . “ The collaboration with the research group at EBM - PABST from the very start of the project was the right strategy for success , ” says Thomas Pusch , Sales Engineer for DSM Engineering Plastics . “ It made sure that the optimum play of the rotor and stator will not be compromised even by high temperature fluctuation , by hardest impact when driving , or by humidity . ” The close collaboration between DSM and EBM - PAPST has also opened many new possibilities for substituting glass filled PPA or other high - temperature thermoplastic resins by Arnite PET XL in headlamp components . The outgassing performance , dimensional stability and stiffness of the material as well as its outstanding dynamic fatigue resistance made it the preferred choice for this innovation . Due to the early involvement of DSM ’ s specialists and their expertise in material selection , mold design and processing , the project was completed within an optimum development time , fully meeting all specifications and resulting in a cost - efficient solution to the state of the art . 1 ) Full - LED headlamp unit from Hella for Cadillac ’ s Escalade Platinum . br >( Figure 1 : DSM Engineering Plastics ) 2 ) Premium automotive manufacturer Cadillac relies on Full - LED headlamps developed by Hella for the High - Low beam and daytime running lights of its Escalade Platinum model . ( Figure 2 : DSM Engineering Plastics ) 3 ) Axial fan molded by EPM - PABST in Arnite ® from DSM Engineering Plastics . ( Figure 3 : DSM Engineering Plastics ) DSM ENGINERING PLASTICS ( 한국 디 에스엠 엔지니어링 플라스틱 ) 서울 강남구 강남구 논현동 70 - 13 ( 보전 빌딩 동관 12 층 ) 전화 : 02 - 3445 - 1162