All Composites articles – Page 4
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ArticlePenn Engineering ebook: Automotive triangle of disruption
Automotive triangle of disruption – an e-book by Penn EngineeringThere is an automotive revolution in process that will change the face of the industry by 2030. Notably there are four technology mega trends driving these changes. Each of these trends create challenges for the automotive manufacturing industry in the way ...
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Article
Composites take shape
Pressing and forming technology for composite materials are a key part of modern automotive production. Andrew Williams looks at the latest developmentsWhen manufacturing composite parts, companies throughout the automotive supply chain commonly rely on hydraulic press systems, which are generally far better at increasing the curing time of materials compared ...
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ArticleSelf-clinching fasteners for composites and plastics
The VariMount fastening system allows the use of PEM self-clinching fasteners for attachment applications in composites, plastics, metal and any rigid material or panel, claims PennEngineering. The company says the system integrates a self-clinching nut, stud, or standoff pre-installed permanently into a steel or stainless steel base plate.The base plate ...
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ArticleThe strength-ductility trade-off
High-strength, ductile steels could be processed on an industrial scale thanks to a new research project from WMG at the University of Warwick in the UK. AMS finds out what it means for the automotive industryThe team at WMG claim to have found a way of controlling undesired brittle stages ...
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WebinarLaser Radar on robot: Shop floor CMM in automotive
Nikon – The next generation of car body inspection will require inline and next-to-line CMM to handle complex features on a variety of surfaces, such as reflective bare metal and composites, and integrate seamlessly into the automotive production process. The webinar describes the capabilities of Nikon’s robot-mounted Laser Radar, delivering ...
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ArticleGrowth and innovation
Reduced costs, recyclability and new joining technologies are driving the use of aluminium in automotive structuresFord's switch from steel to aluminium for the body of its F-Series trucks was called its ‘billion-dollar gamble’. But the carmaker felt that the opportunity to shed some 300kg of weight from the vehicle was ...
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ArticleMcLaren to open composites facility
UK – The Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield will develop and manufacture the Monocell and Moncage carbon-fibre chassis in future McLaren cars. Construction work will begin in early 2017 and full production is scheduled for 2020. Meanwhile, pre-production chassis will be completed using trial processes at the nearby Advanced Manufacturing ...
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Article
Seven key issues for tier suppliers
Taking examples from across the world of automotive tier supply, AMS looks at the seven key considerations from supply base consolidation, vertical integration and outsourcing to the changes that the move to electric, autonomous and connected vehicles might mean for the supplier industry1. Supply base consolidationWhile car companies make most ...
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ArticleGet the insight inside
With shorter lead times and constant cost pressures, OEMs are adopting CT scanning to analyse internal structures without the disassembling of countless prototypesToday’s automotive OEMs and suppliers face ever shortening lead times for introducing new products at a lower cost. Consequently, fewer prototype iterations are required and destructive testing is ...
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Article
Layer upon layer
Researchers at Ford Dearborn are keen to see additive manufacturing move on from its prototyping origins and into the mainstream volume production processIn itself, there is nothing new about the automotive industry’s use of the set of techniques generally known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing, in which objects are ...
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ArticleLayer upon layer
Researchers at Ford Dearborn are keen to see additive manufacturing move on from its prototyping origins and into the mainstream volume production processIn itself, there is nothing new about the automotive industry’s use of the set of techniques generally known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing, in which objects are ...
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ArticleMaking light work
Strong, stiff and light, these properties make composites a compelling proposition for the manufacture of tooling and production aidsIn sheet metal forming, epoxy resin dies were first used in the 1950s. These thermosets were often filled with steel powder or sand to increase their wear resistance and mechanical properties. Filled ...
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ArticleRecycle route for carbon fibre
The use of carbon fibre in automotive manufacturing is in its infancy but with £316m worth of the material sent to landfill in 2015 it is imperative the industry explores more ways of recycling European Union (EU) end-of-life vehicle directives prescribe that 85% of the materials used in a new ...
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ArticlePower to the machines
While human flexibility offers special advantages in the assembly hall, modern paintshops rely heavily on automation to tackle hostile conditions and a strong need for consistency. AMS reviews the recent trendsRobotic technologies have for decades been centre stage in automotive manufacturing. The industry is top of the league for robot ...
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ArticleInterview: Klemens Bartmann, Axalta
As the coatings company turns 150 years old, its global technology director reflects on the sector’s trends, challenges and opportunities – including new materials, environmental concerns and multi-functionality Klemens Bartmann, Axalta Coating SystemsJoanne Perry (JP): Can you briefly outline the differences in requirements between coatings for light vehicles and those ...
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ArticleSika expands adhesives capacity at Grandview
US – The company has commissioned mixing equipment and associated bulk packaging capabilities at its plant in Missouri, enabling the local production of SikaPower products which are used in vehicle assembly. The move is in line with Sika’s ‘Global Reach with Local Presence’ strategy.“The expanded capability enables further supply of ...
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ArticleRecycled carbon fibre
ELG Carbon Fibre claims it has developed a recycling solution that converts manufacturing waste into products that can be incorporated into vehicle design. The company says it is currently working with a number of automotive OEM’s on a range of projects from the development of end-of-use recycling solutions for carbon ...
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Article
Interior angles
Despite much merger, acquisition and joint ventures, the automotive interiors market remains fragmented Seats and dashboards/cockpits are the two largest segments of the interiors market, both in terms of component size and value. Historically these components have been supplied by a mixture of in-house and independent suppliers, while in recent ...
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ArticleInteriors: An inside look
Despite many mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, the automotive interiors market remains fragmented Seats and dashboards/cockpits are the two largest segments of the interiors market, both in terms of component size and value. Historically, these components have been supplied by a mixture of in-house and independent suppliers, while in recent ...
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ArticleThe case for carbon fibre
The composites industry’s flagship event, JEC World, was bigger than ever this year. The number of exhibitors showing off their automotive expertise at this month’s show and conference in Paris was particularly striking. The use of glass-fibre-reinforced composites is established for the production of non-structural internal and external parts for ...