All Materials articles – Page 6
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ArticleHigh 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 treatment ...
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ArticleThe clean machines
Paintshop cleanliness is a vital aspect of the coating application process. Mike Farish finds out what it takes to keep the paint finish blemish-free
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ArticlePaint 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 responsibility for expanding ...
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ArticleCool 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 was ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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ArticleA holistic approach to quality
Raffaello Lepratti, VP of business development and marketing at Siemens looks at how suppliers can optimise the cost of quality while assuring OEM requirements The automotive industry is undergoing massive structural change, as the advent of new technologies coincides with rapidly changing customer preferences. Recent developments suggest this disruption ...
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ArticleDriving the future of e-mobility
Henkel is responding to changes in the automotive industry with a range of technologies for the emerging trend towards e-drive modules Building on years of experience and expertise in engine and powertrain applications, Henkel is investing in new technologies and products for the efficient, large-scale manufacturing of safe and ...
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ArticleTravel blog: Big game in SA
There are a handful of countries in the world that remain relatively untouched when it comes to the new car market, with sales of used cars traditionally dominating. In South Africa, for example, sales of used cars outweigh those in the new car market by more than two to ...
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ArticleLap of luxury
Its history and heritage may be strong but Aston Martin’s focus is firmly fixed on the future A proud claim of Aston Martin is that of all the cars the company has ever built in its 105 year history, 95% of them are still on the road. As a premium ...
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ArticleDrive for efficiency
How can tier suppliers deliver a fast and efficient project? According to SSAB a close partnership with a material supplier and early involvement is the key to success Today, the competition in the automotive industry is driving the need for efficiency more than ever. As a result, OEMs are ...
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ArticleThe full measure
In-process measurement can guarantee fewer rejects, easier assembly, and ultimately, happier customers before a single part reaches the OEM The ‘where’ in automotive manufacturing has changed and expanded over time as OEMs rely further on increased content from Tier suppliers. From frames, closures, headlamps and tail lamps all the ...
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ArticleHot stamp harmony
With the demand for quality specifications from OEMs on the rise Gestamp turned to Zeiss for a new approach to quality assurance Deer graze undisturbed in the fields that stretch off into the distance as far as the eye can see. Yet there is a lot more to this ...
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ArticlePick up the pace
To thrive and grow as a tier one global manufacturer of auto seating systems and components requires precision production and very quick turnaround times To support the need for time and material precision, one of the most critical parts of the process is ensuring the right parts are picked, ...
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ArticleManufacturing execution system
Lantek says that with its MES Manager manufacturing execution system, engineers can upload a bill of materials for the products being manufactured including parts and subassemblies. The company claims that the full sequence of operations required for the manufacture of each part or subassembly is stored within the MES system.The ...
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ArticleOut now: ATS 2019
For this, our third issue of the ATS supplement, we have spoken once again to key players in this crucial sector of the market, revealing their insight on the current state of automotive manufacturing.Piecing it all together Ian Henry identifies six themes from the moves, mergers and makeovers underway in ...
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ArticleGetting beneath the skin
Specialists in automotive interiors have long been at the sharp end of sustainability issue. Gareth Price looks at the controls and techniques that are helping IAC Group improve process control and lower energy consumption Ever since environmental impact became a hot topic for discussion and action within the automotive manufacturing ...
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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 ...
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ArticleFord automates hot-forming process
Germany - Ford has integrated a automated hot-forming line at its Saarlouis plant, which is located two hours south west of Frankfurt, where it makes the Focus. The company says it is the first time this process has been automated.It works by subjecting boron steel to temperatures of up to ...
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WebinarHow can 3rd generation steel be a problem solver?
SSAB recently launched its metal-coated Docol 600DH and Docol 800DH steel for trials. These are 3rd generation steels that provide improved formability and good weldability. This webinar discusses the 3rd generation steel product development at SSAB and ask what solutions these materials can deliver in high volume ...