Aluminium News
Aluminium applications
Electric vehicles battery enclosures are increasing overall vehicle weight, with lightweight materials for structural components, such as castings, can offset the rise. Rio Tinto’s Jerome Fourmann tells Nick Holt about new opportunities and production innovations
AMS Lightweighting 2021 – Weighing the options
This edition features insights on how manufacturing engineers and designers are taking new approaches to vehicle architectures and production to integrate lighter, more efficient materials – especially for EVs – to reduce weight and improve sustainability. Featuring Ford, Gestamp, Rio Tinto, ArcelorMittal, Dreistern and more
Ford gambles with supply chains as OEM reportedly doubles production targets for electric F-150 Lightning trucks
Demand for electric vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years amid broader strategy by global institutions towards carbon-neutrality. However, supply chain disruptions relating to semiconductor shortages, the coronavirus pandemic, and material access may prove problematic for attempts to ramp up EV battery production.
Watch: Vehicle lightweighting rises to the top of the agenda for designers and engineers
This livestream investigates how designers and engineers at Ford, Gestamp and key suppliers are using innovative materials and creating lightweight architectures, including for models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Maverick compact truck.
Power is nothing without control
Chassis components keep the wheels from falling off the EV revolution. Illya Verpraet found out how Gestamp is managing the change with material and quality control innovation
Watch: Strategies for Greener Production (EP.1)
This AMS Livestream Hour episode discusses how automotive manufacturers are making their plants and value chains more sustainable through new processes and technology, with special guests including Scania and ArcelorMittal. Watch and download slides.
AMS Environment and Sustainability 2020 – Greener production, battery recycling, decarbonising materials and more
For the automotive industry environmental sustainability is not just important for the vehicles they produce, it is also a key factor in the production process. This edition of AMS takes a close look at sustainable production, utilising recycled materials and renewable energy sources
Audi introduces closed-loop systems for aluminium, wastewater and plastic
Audi has detailed how it is introducing closed-loop systems to its plants as part of its goal to make all its five plants carbon-neutral by 2025. This includes aluminium, wastewater and a pilot project for chemical recycling of plastics.
Taking shape: Forming aluminium
AMS spoke to two leading press line suppliers to get some insight into process challenges and solutions for this material
Aluminium welding goes digital
Aluminium is an important part of the multi-material mix that will form the body and chassis structures of the next generation of electric vehicles. Nick Holt reports on the welding challenges and technologies
Watch: The latest technology from Coherent solves your most challenging welding tasks in e-mobility battery manufacturing
A major leap in fiber laser welding technology that can significantly improve your productions processes.
Shielding aluminium
With aluminium continuing as the lightweight material of choice, Chemetall explains why a smarter approach to pretreatment of high-share aluminium content vehicle bodies is required
Al 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
Drawing 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
Weight-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
Worth its metal
Aluminium welding requires special care but an understanding of the process helps suppliers to make good choices, writes Lincoln Electric’s Raheel Khan
Gestamp starts production in Slovakia
Slovakia - Gestamp has started making aluminium components for JLR at its new Slovakia plant
Dongfeng Maxion to build wheel plant
China - Dongfeng Motor Parts and Components Group has formed a new joint venture company with Maxion Wheels - a division of the Brazilian wheel and structural component manufacturer Iochpe Maxion. The new company is called Dongfeng Maxion Wheels, and will look to serve the global market.
Corolla confidence
Upgrade and investments at Burnaston see Toyota start production of the new Corolla in the UK, despite all the turmoil of Brexit
Low heat input welding
The Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding process reduces the heat input in comparison to other MIG/MAG processes, claims Fronius. This uses a digital process control, which automatically detects short circuits and then helps to detach the droplet by retracting the wire; during welding, the wire moves forward and is pulled ...