What's New at Congress 2002
Parts testing
RMMP Testlab, Inc.'s Automotive Parts Testing Laboratory is an A2LA accredited laboratory complete with a fully staffed fixturing department with the ability to construct accurate and durable exposure and cycling test fixtures. Programmable hot/cold/humidity cycling chambers with capabilities of -70 to +180°C (-94 to +356°F) with 10-98% humidity are available for a multitude of common environmental exposure cycles. An 8.9-kN (2000-lb) vibration system is available for sine and random vibration as well as shock testing of parts at any temperature. Walk-in conditioning chambers can be programmed for extreme hot and cold environments for large part testing such as headliners, seats, and body bucks, which require environmental conditioning and/or cycling at temperature.
Coaxial connector
Rosenberger's 360°-turnable, right-angle coaxial connector is custom-made for automotive applications with small spaces or limited accessibility. The connector is resistant to temperatures from -40 to +100°C (-40 to +212°F) and features small dimensions for easy installation in tight spaces. The connector is available in all FAKRA codings from A to Z. The unique rotation ability eliminates the need for different angle configurations of the same keyed part.
Force and pressure sensor
Sensor Products Inc.'s Xsensor is a reusable electronic tactile force and pressure-indicating sensor system that allows engineers to monitor in real time how force is disbursed between any two contacting or mating surfaces. The Windows-based technology can be used in manufacturing process control as well as machine/component inspection and calibration where pressure is between 1.7 to 82,740 kPa (0.25 to 12,000 psi). It can aid the design and production of components with gasketed and flanged interfaces and also is suitable for analyzing pressure distribution in lamination, injection molding, impact testing, clutches, and brakes, as well as tire-tread-footprint analysis. The system, which consists of a sensor "skin," an interface controller, and software, indicates how surfaces deform and engage under stress and is useful as a confirmation of FE analysis.
Decorative plastics
Serigraph's Chrono-style decorating solutions provide the look of metal with low-cost, lightweight plastics. With a proprietary combination of screen printing, Select Metalization, and textures, the decorating process is suitable for instrument clusters and dials. Designers can create metallic effects in virtually any color, as well as incorporate rainbow or holographic effects, shine, glitter, brushed metal, and backlit graphics, which help achieve durable, high-end, cockpit styling and luxury looks without the cost of using metal.
Emissions control
Emissions legislation calls for a dramatic decrease of the emissions of heavy-duty diesel engines, especially NOx. The SINOx system from Siemens Ceramics and Hydraulikring GmbH (a Siemens company) represents the technology to reduce NOx and HC emissions by approximately 80%, and PM emissions by 20-40%, thereby fulfilling the expected European NOx emissions requirements of 2008 even with today's engine technology and calibration. The companies combine their expertise to provide the major components of the SINOx system: the SCR catalyst, catalyst housing, urea dosing control unit, and SCR system electronic unit with control logic software.
