Materials Innovation and Lightweighting – Page 8
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ArticleCast learners
Academic research into casting is helping vehicle-makers and their suppliers to bridge a knowledge gap Almost every piece of metal used in the manufacture of a vehicle will have gone through a casting process at some point previously, whether shaping via a technique such as sand-casting or simply as a ...
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ArticleMagna’s new aluminium casting facility
UK – The company says it will establish a “world-class” operation in Telford to support Jaguar Land Rover, starting construction this autumn. The facility is expected to cover around 225,000 sq.ft, employ 295 people at full capacity and begin production in 2018.“We are excited to work closely with Jaguar Land ...
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Article
Bearing in mind PTFE
There may be a tendency to pay little regard to the humble PTFE bearing but when it comes to assembly and performance this small component can make a big difference The hinges on doors, bonnets and other car-body closures seem at first to be among the most straightforward elements of ...
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ArticleBearing in mind PTFE
Little attention is paid to the humble PTFE bearing, but this small part can affect assembly and performanceThe hinges on doors, bonnets and other car-body closures seem at first to be among the most straightforward elements of the componentry on any vehicle. But, as is often the case, the appearance ...
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Article
Bearing in mind PTFE
The hinges that allow doors, bonnets and other closures on a car to open and close seem at first sight to be among the most straightforward elements of the componentry on any vehicle. But, as is often the case, the appearance of simplicity can disguise a surprising amount of technical ...
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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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ArticleLightweight steering system
A plastic housing for mechanical steering systems has been developed by tedrive. The company says the housing design was developed specifically to meet the requirements of lightweight automotive concepts, achieving a weight saving of up to 40% compared with housings made from aluminium.The company claims this plastic housing is suitable ...
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ArticleAudi develops lightweight tooling
Germany – The company’s tooling specialists have developed a new generation of tools that they say are up to 20% lighter and 10% more stable than the previous generation. Now being used in the press shop at Ingolstadt, the new tools feature a composite construction consisting of cast iron, aluminium ...
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Article
Lightweight constant velocity joint
GKN Driveline says it has developed a new family of lightweight constant velocity joint (CV joint) systems that it claims enable rear-wheel drive platforms to save more than 4kg of weight.The new VL3 CV joint is claimed to increase torque capacity by up to 27% with no increase in packaging ...
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ArticleUK joins global composites competition
If the number of exhibitors and visitors involved in the production of vehicles at this month’s Advanced Engineering 2015 (AE2015) show in Birmingham was anything to go by, the UK’s automotive industry is in rude health.This impression is supported by the statistics. According to the Society for Motor Manufacturers and ...
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ArticleGordon Murray debuts iStream Carbon
Japan – The carbon-fibre chassis, billed as the first such affordable structure for mass production, is being shown at the Tokyo Motor Show as part of the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept. UK-based Gordon Murray says the chassis brings Formula One materials and technology “within reach of the everyday motorist”.The innovative ...
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ArticleShowing real steel
ArcelorMittal has invested heavily to produce AHSS for the automotive industry. Chris Wright visits the company’s Sagunto plant, Spain, which is ramping up to produce 150,000 tons of Usibor per year from 2016ArcelorMittal has collaborated with OEMs to develop steel solutions that meet critical requirements in terms of weight reduction ...
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ArticleLightweight Vehicle Manufacturing
UK – The inaugural joining, forming and assembly summit will take place in Birmingham on November 18-19 2015, as part of the GALM series of events. Taking place over three continents, the previous ten shows have attracted the support of 150 exhibitors and 1,500 delegates, according to the organisers.The event ...
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ArticleSteel: Stronger and lighter
Wider application of UHSS and AHSS is making vehicle structures much lighter, and the next generation of steel grades promise even greater weight reduction – perhaps challenging the rise of aluminiumAs far as lightweight materials are concerned, ultra-high and advanced high-strength steels (UHSS and AHSS) are quite good value for ...
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ArticleSteel solutions
Producers of steel are developing innovative solutions to meet the vehicle lightweighting challengeOEMs have to strike a balance when selecting the right materials for their vehicles. These materials need to be strong enough to protect passengers in the event of a collision, yet light enough to reduce CO2 emissions and ...
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ArticleAluminium's arrived
Lionel Chapis and Andreas Afseth, respectively Constellium's MD and R&D market manager for Automotive, explain how the lightweight alternative to steel is now fulfilling its potential – and not only in the USIt is an exciting time to be supplying aluminium to the automotive industry, according to Lionel Chapis, Constellium’s ...
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WebinarManufacturing technologies for hybrid lightweight
At the very cutting edge of design, material mixes are becoming ever more prevalent and, in order to stay ahead of the curve, you’ll need to be utilising this technology to its maximum potential.Some of the key benefits of this new materials approach are:Improved ductilityimproved stiffness and increased strengthIncreased reliability ...
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ArticleWelding for lightweights
With the automotive industry’s shift toward lighter materials, demands on welding technology are changingThe reasons behind the increasing demand for aluminium within the automotive industry are well documented: the material is around one-third the weight of steel, which in turn leads to fuel consumption advantages and, hopefully, higher sales at ...
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ArticleNew binder for automotive lightweight composites
BASF claims its new low-emission Acrodur Power 2750 X binder, helps produce cost-efficient lightweight composites with integrated functions and a higher share of natural fibres. The product is designed for the production of natural fibre composites for automotive lightweight applications, such as interior car door panels or shelves. The company ...
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ArticleInterview: Atterby and Burton at Luxus
Peter Atterby, managing director, and Terry Burton, technical manager, discuss Luxus' commercialisation of a new range of lightweight polypropylene polymers for interior trim, featuring up to 60% recycled contentJoanne Perry (JP): Luxus has been supplying thermoplastic materials to the automotive industry for 30 years. Which of today’s models feature Luxus ...