Manufacturing

GM tools up for high-volume aluminum structures with new welding technology The process centers on a new electrode-tip design. It will enable GM’s global body shops to spot-weld virtually any combination of aluminum sheet, extrusions, and castings at higher production rates than are currently used in automotive aluminum-structures manufacturing. Read full story

Lightweight sandwich structures for EV chassis Plastic foam-core/aluminum-skin sandwich components developed by Inrekor in collaboration with JSP cut the weight of a prototype EV chassis by 30%. Read full story

Cleanliness is critical in fluid circuit components The evolving nature of the industry has resulted in strict standards concerning cleanliness in the fluid circuit and most other components of road vehicles such as brake systems, fuel injector nozzles, power steering pumps, and fluid hoses. Read full story

Marsilli advances ‘open poles’ motor winding for hybrids According to Marsilli, a winding systems manufacturer based in Italy and an exhibitor at this year’s SAE World Congress, brushless motor design is facing a “revolution phase” as traditional needle-wound or field-coil motors have reached their maximum efficiency, being limited by the fill factor. Marsilli is advancing the open-poles motor winding concept to assist motor manufacturers in increasing motor performances and reducing material costs. Read full story