All articles by James Bakewell
-
ArticleNew materials drive electric motor development
Original equipment manufacturers need electric motors that are more energy-efficient and power-dense than those currently available
-
ArticleRe-evaluating recycled materials
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?
-
ArticleVersatile, familiar and recyclable
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
-
ArticleSteel makes the case as the mainstay material for vehicles
With OEMs demanding vehicle-structure materials that are low in mass, crash-protective and economic to use, steel grades stay true to form
-
ArticleSteelmakers keen to press home the BEV advantage
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?
-
ArticleStrong, light and formable, stainless steel re-enters the material mix
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
-
ArticleAl 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 lighter metal
-
ArticleDrawing 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
-
ArticleWeight-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
-
ArticleCreating strong bonds
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?
-
ArticleForm and function
Developments in composite parts are continuing to offer the automotive industry a variety of weight and cost advantages in high-volume production
-
ArticleCarbon composite footprint
EV development has made lightweighting vehicle structures a priority. James Bakewell reports on the increased role for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics
-
ArticleStrong bonds
James Bakewell looks at the challenges of joining new grades of advanced and ultra-high strength steels in the latest multi-material vehicle structures
-
ArticleThe plastic problem
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
-
ArticleCustomising production
James Bakewell reports on BMW’s growing use of additively produced parts in both vehicle personalising and series production applications
-
ArticleA 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 panels, doors ...
-
ArticleSticking together
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? The automotive industry is mostly set-up for resistance spot welding (RSW). This method has ...
-
ArticlePower from plastics
James Bakewell speaks to thermoset plastics specialists Pieter Vanderstraeten and Hendrik De Keyser about the increasing scope for composite powertrain components While the use of advanced composites in structural applications has hogged the limelight in recent years, these lightweight materials also have many advantages for the manufacture of components for ...
-
ArticleSteel makes a strong case
With the push for powertrain electrification gaining strength producers of high-strength steel are preparing themselves to capitalise reports James Bakewell In 2017, global sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) reached 1.3m units, according to Frédéric Painchault, head of Global Automotive Marketing at steelmaker ...
-
ArticleAluminium allegiance
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