All Aluminium articles
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VoiceShielding aluminium
With aluminium continuing as the lightweight material of choice, Chemetall explains why a smarter approach to pretreatment of high-share aluminium content vehicle bodies is required
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Al around the weld
Joining aluminium parts gives the bodyshop a number of challenges not encountered when welding steel. But a variety of weld techniques are helping OEMs to adapt and extend use of the ligher metal
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Drawing attention: aluminium hot form quench
Better known as a niche process for parts with deep-drawn and complex geometries in high-strength aluminium, hot form quench is now being adapted for high volume production
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Weight-loss programme
The electrification drive has increased the importance of lightweight vehicle structures. AMS looks at the development of the latest aluminium grades for electric vehicle applications
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Voice
Worth its metal
Aluminium welding requires special care but an understanding of the process helps suppliers to make good choices, writes Lincoln Electric’s Raheel Khan
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Gestamp starts production in Slovakia
Slovakia - Gestamp has started making aluminium components for JLR at its new Slovakia plant
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Dongfeng Maxion to build wheel plant
China - Dongfeng Motor Parts and Components Group has formed a new joint venture company with Maxion Wheels - a division of the Brazilian wheel and structural component manufacturer Iochpe Maxion. The new company is called Dongfeng Maxion Wheels, and will look to serve the global market. ...
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Corolla confidence
Upgrade and investments at Burnaston see Toyota start production of the new Corolla in the UK, despite all the turmoil of Brexit The UK secretary of state for business, Greg Clark, and the straight-taking Japanese ambassador to the UK, Koji Tsuruoka, joined local dignitaries, business leaders and Toyota executives ...
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Low heat input welding
The Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding process reduces the heat input in comparison to other MIG/MAG processes, claims Fronius. This uses a digital process control, which automatically detects short circuits and then helps to detach the droplet by retracting the wire; during welding, the wire moves forward and is pulled ...
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Industrial suction spray gun
The 4100 Xtreme suction spray gun has been developed to paint larger surface areas commonly associate with commercial and general industrial applications, such as machinery, truck chassis and trailers, says Sagola. The gun’s nozzles and needles come in two variants, 1.6 and 1.8 that deliver fine and heavy atomisation respectively ...
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Show and tell
Cost savings and reduced installation time are the result of Profil’s self-piercing stud, as visitors discovered at the NEAA Expo 2018 A new earthing stud is allowing automotive global OEMs to achieve the triple benefits of reduced installation time and cost, guaranteed electrical earthing and a substantial reduction in parts ...
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A clean winner
Coherent-ROFIN’s Frank Gäbler explains a new approach to laser welding problematic materials Fig 1. Hairpin welded with CleanWeld technology: excellent weld quality, low spatter and low porosity Although fibre lasers are widely utilised in the automotive industry, there are still some ...
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A high-performance build
The Audi R8 series of sports cars is described as being closer to motor racing than any other on-the-road vehicles. Mike Farish takes a closer look at the manufacturing operation The latest versions of both the Coupe and Spyder convertible variants of the R8 are made at Audi Sport’s ...
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Smartly pressed
OEMs and suppliers are teaming up to design and construct a state-of-art press shops, duly networked for an industry 4.0 approach More on Stamping Ford Saarlouis Gestamp Constellium, Georgia Skoda Mlade Boleslav Arguably the main technological factor most commonly associated with ...
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Steel wars
Bridges are being burnt in today’s automotive industry. Political decisions are having a significant impact on the price of vehicles, the way in which they are sold, and where they are made. One factor that could soon play a key role is the trade war between the US and the ...
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The perfect finishing touch
Turkish alloy wheel producer Cevher Wheels has invested in Graco Pro Xpc Auto electrostatic When it comes to spray painting alloy wheels, just how do you get the balance between obtaining a perfect finish, cutting material consumption, reducing environmental impact, minimising maintenance downtime and ensuring operational safety? Cevher ...
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High performance for next-gen at NIO
Lightweighting, multi-metal compatibility and a focus on aluminium substrates is how thin-film, pretreatment technologies fulfil the requirements for NIO’s next generation of electric vehicles With its advanced thin-film Oxsilan technology, the Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand, ensures a perfect surface ...
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Paint technology and investments
We report on the new technology, techniques and investments in the world of paintshop being implemented by vehicle-makers around the world… Eisenmann’s E-Shuttle 200 pre-treatment/electrocoating system will be part of the Leipzig upgrade Expansion at BMW Leipzig Eisenmann says it has been given overall ...
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Cool paint for hot cars
Ferrari is renowned for the high quality paint finish on its supercars. So creating a workable paint formulation that would cure at much lower temperatures without compromising these exacting standard would be a challenge. PPG’s Technical director, William Brunat, discusses the project with Nick Holt The project with Ferrari ...
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A focus on fibres
Lightweight, high-strength benefits are being offset by materials and process costs. James Bakewell looks at the challenges of making carbon fibre cost effective Used for the first time in earnest by Volvo, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) will feature in the £135,000 ($176,400) Polestar 1’s bonnet, boot lid, side ...
