Design Support to Repair Damaged Side & Center Sills / Collision Posts

Starfire participated in the development of an improved patching method for cracked and broken or corroded side sills/center sills/collision posts of stainless steel passenger cars. Cracks have developed in side sills due to fatigue and/or improper welding or cutting techniques on previous repairs or modifications. Currently published repair procedures involve extensive use of patches and mechanical fasteners. The aim of the improvements was to produce effective patching procedures utilizing specialized welding techniques for stainless steel as much as possible to reduce the mechanical fastening needed.