The paper aims to collect data of different types of biocomposite materials and use the results interpretation to identify a potential material that can successfully replace the current materials used on the Dacia motor vehicles. It starts from an analyze of the composite materials with a dammar-based hybrid matrix and four types of fabric reinforcement materials: wool, wool & cotton, bamboo, and bamboo & cotton. The materials are scanned with a special scanner and the information about the grain, color, texture, bump, material flakes and emission are uploaded to a cloud data base called Armada, where the material can be downloaded and applied to specific parts in the Deltagen software for further analysis. Materials are scaled to the dimension of the specific parts. Through CAVE can be analyzed different use-cases, like light and mirror reflections, grain, color, shines, and then applying the new materials to certain vehicle components: dashboard, door panels and A pillar. Based on the results obtained in CAVE by Renault engineers, it can be identified the most suitable and feasible new material that can be physically achieved, that can be used for further test. The CAVE analysis brings the advantage of digital testing of a wide range of materials, saving time and money, and physically producing components with the best success rate. Without a special request or values, the research results are limited only by the perception of the engineers involved in the study. So far, the literature review has mostly provided results of the research over the biocomposite materials that comes mainly from laboratory determinations. The integration of the sustainable materials in the virtual prototyping opens a new door in the research domain of testing the material properties and their influence over the users. With the actual high technology, as CAVE, an important contribution to the life cycle of the vehicles will be added. They will bring significant cost and time reductions, mainly in the beginning of the life cycle. Moreover, the use of biocomposite materials supports a clean and sustainable development.

Dipl.-Ing. Anca Alexandra Iordache Sabo, Project Manager, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest/ Renault Technologie Roumanie