AvtoVAZ has prepared something new for Russian cars for the Lada Azimut. The crossover will be the first Lada model with a soft front panel of a new design. Instead of the usual hard plastic, it will feature an elastic soft touch coating, with a layer of polyurethane foam underneath.
To produce such a panel, AvtoVAZ has mastered the slush skin technology. First, a special mold is heated, and powdered PVC is applied to its inner surface. Then the material is heated and cooled again. As a result, a solid elastic shell is formed inside the mold, which looks and feels like artificial leather.
The elastic shell is connected to the rigid frame of the panel. The space between them is filled with a special two-component compound. After hardening, it turns into polyurethane foam, which gives the panel its softness.
Most of the subsequent operations are performed automatically. Holes for air ducts are milled, frame elements are joined by vibration and ultrasonic welding. The upper and lower parts of the panel are simultaneously processed by two industrial robots, and ultrasonic welding is performed at 27 points.
After assembly, each panel is checked on a special control gauge. This ensures that the part has the correct geometry and will fit into the car without problems.
The Azimut panel itself is one of the largest and most complex parts of its interior. The shell thickness is about 1.3 mm, and its weight and thickness are controlled for each part. Special attention was paid to the area opposite the passenger airbag. In an accident, the shell must tear in the right place so as not to prevent the airbag from deploying.