Recycling of Car Components

On behalf of the car manufacturers Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Opel, Porsche, VW, and Volvo, EDS has developed the Internet-based "international electronic material data system (IMDS)." With the help of the system, the car manufacturers can continually access information on which materials the supplied components of a car are composed of. The starting point for the cooperation between EDS and the car manufacturers was the latter¿s voluntary commitment to recycle 95% of the mass of a vehicle by the year 2015. They can now - even during the development phase - start thinking about the future recycling of their car components. Also, for the protection of the suppliers, a security concept with well-defined access rights was established. The pilot phase will still start this year with car manufacturers and selected suppliers.

EDS, Electronic Data Systems
65428 Rüsselsheim
Tel. 06142/80-0, Fax -2221
Internet: www.eds.de

Konstruktion und Entwicklung, Februar 2000

EDS (www.eds.de) is setting up an international electronic material data system (IMDS) on behalf of the car manufacturers Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Opel, Porsche, VW and Volvo. The Internet-based system will provide the car manufacturers and their partners with information on which materials the supplied components of a car are composed of.

The IMDS guarantees a direct, fast, and efficient flow of information between all participants. Users are connected to a central server via a four-level system architecture. They can enter defined standard data into a uniform material data sheet template.

Due to competition reasons, the automotive suppliers have specified very high security standards. EDS developed a multi-level security concept with different levels of access rights for individual users. The IMDS will go productive after a pilot phase and the necessary user training in March of this year. In the future, the suppliers will also have the possibility to conduct their materials administration with the help of this system.