James Bakewell

  • e-motor expl view
    Article

    New materials drive electric motor development

    2023-12-04T19:20:00

    Original equipment manufacturers need electric motors that are more energy-efficient and power-dense than those currently available

  • Econyl2
    Article

    Re-evaluating recycled materials

    2023-04-05T17:10:00

    Carmakers are increasingly looking into ways of reducing the environmental impact of their vehicle manufacture – and one way to do this is by using more recycled materials in their cars. But how can they go about this?

  • IMGP0642
    Article

    Versatile, familiar and recyclable

    2020-12-02T16:49:00

    Steel is not only familiar and affordable, it’s also highly recyclable, so James Bakewell asks whether there are any more gains to be made in making it more sustainable

  • steel content breakdown
    Article

    Steel makes the case as the mainstay material for vehicles

    2020-03-06T15:35:00

    With OEMs demanding vehicle-structure materials that are low in mass, crash-protective and economic to use, steel grades stay true to form

  • SinmotionBEV_Eur_BiW
    Article

    Steelmakers keen to press home the BEV advantage

    2020-03-03T15:25:00

    Throughout the age of the mass-produced automobile, steel has been the principal material of choice for vehicle structures. Will it maintain its dominance as carmakers pursue new mobility concepts?

  • Stainless steel parts
    Article

    Strong, light and formable, stainless steel re-enters the material mix

    2020-02-28T14:48:00

    Helsinki-based Outokumpu says stainless steels are ideal for lightweight, safety-critical structural parts and have put it to use in the series production of EV battery enclosures 

  • Audi A8 remote laser weld al u door
    Article

    Al around the weld

    2019-12-06T12:05:00

    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 lighter metal

  • hot form quenching 3
    Article

    Drawing attention: aluminium hot form quench

    2019-12-04T15:01:00

    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

  • jaguarreality02042019001
    Article

    Weight-loss programme

    2019-11-20T17:03:00

    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

  • Porsche
    Article

    Creating strong bonds

    2019-10-09T09:33:00

    While mixed-material vehicle body structures yield impressive weight reduction results, the joining processes present a challenge for OEMs. How do they fix the myriad materials but still maintain the requisite properties and structural integrity?

  • Laness1
    Article

    Form and function

    2019-10-08T14:38:00

    Developments in composite parts are continuing to offer the automotive industry a variety of weight and cost advantages in high-volume production

  • BMWiNext
    Article

    Carbon composite footprint

    2019-09-16T15:01:00

    EV development has made lightweighting vehicle structures a priority. James Bakewell reports on the increased role for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics

  • Fronius_PW_19-03_ANFRAGE_ams_advanced high strength steel_04
    Article

    Strong bonds

    2019-05-28T14:29:00

    James Bakewell looks at the challenges of joining new grades of advanced and ultra-high strength steels in the latest multi-material vehicle structures

  • Volvo recycle interior 3
    Article

    The plastic problem

    2019-04-12T14:56:00

    Dealing with pollution caused by waste plastic is high on the agenda for governments and environmental agencies. James Bakewell reports on how vehicle makers are making use of recycled plastics

  • BMW_AM__mini-yours-customise
    Article

    Customising production

    2019-04-10T13:30:00

    James Bakewell reports on BMW’s growing use of additively produced parts in both vehicle personalising and series production applications

  • Audi_crossbrace copy
    Article

    A focus on fibres

    2018-11-27T15:21:00

    Lightweight, high-strength benefits are being offset by materials and process costs. James Bakewell looks at the challenges of making carbon fibre cost effective

  • BMW Dingolfing
    Article

    Sticking together

    2018-11-27T15:07:00

    The use of a wide variety of materials throws-up significant production challenges and chief among those is joining. How can this plethora of materials be fixed together without affecting their structural integrity or their individual characteristics?

  • Screen Shot 2018-11-19 at 14.25.21
    Article

    Power from plastics

    2018-11-11T14:34:00

    James Bakewell speaks to thermoset plastics specialists Pieter Vanderstraeten and Hendrik De Keyser about the increasing scope for composite powertrain components

  • Nedcar_controllelijn_01_39L_CMYK kopie
    Article

    Steel makes a strong case

    2018-07-26T16:40:00

    With the push for powertrain electrification gaining strength producers of high-strength steel are preparing themselves to capitalise reports James Bakewell

  • 5-Laser cutting provides the highest level of precision for the shape and features of bumper beams. (Constellium White, GA)
    Article

    Aluminium allegiance

    2018-03-05T12:44:00

    Industry analysts are predicting a growth phase for aluminium content in the vehicle material mix. AMS reports on the new grades and applications that underpin this claim

More by James Bakewell