Azure Dynamics seeks future beyond bankruptcy (video)
Azure Dynamics, a developer and integrator of hybrid-electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, has filed for bankruptcy. It plans to stay in business and reorganize. "We're really optimistic that we'll come out of this," said company spokesman Mike Elwood. All work at its global branches, including Oak Park, MI, has been "migrated" back to the company's home base in Burnaby, British Columbia, he said. Azure supplies the electric drive system for several commercial vehicles, including the Ford Transit Connect Electric. Elwood told AEI on March 29 that the company is in talks with its customers and hopes to have things "sorted out in a few days" in terms of whether it can restart production for the Transit Connect Electric and other products. (Video shows how Azure's electric drivetrain and related components are fitted to the vehicle)
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The Ford Transit Connect Electric is equipped with Azure Dynamics' patented Force Drive battery-electric drivertrain technology.
MacLean-Fogg forms Engineered Plastics Company
MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions has announced the formation of the new Engineered Plastics Company (EPC)—a merger of its Polymer Technologies business in Whitewater, WI, with EPC of Menomonee Falls, WI. EPC, which has been in operation since 1981, is a plastic injection molding supplier. The new Engineered Plastics Co. will be aligned under the Engineered Components Group of MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions. MacLean-Fogg supplies engineered components, fastener components, and linkage and suspension components to a range of industries including automotive, heavy truck, aerospace, appliance, wind, and mining. Engineered components include cold formed and machined components, horizontal hot-formed components, and engineered functional plastics. Fastener components include Securex and Decorex brand wheel fasteners, high-temperature Lockthread bolts, ESNA locknuts, and a variety of internally threaded fasteners such as Whiz-Lock, Clinch-Lok, and Step-Lok nuts. Linkage and suspension components include aluminum control arms, ball studs, housings, plastics, and PogoStik linkages.
Freescale partners with FAW in China
FAW, a maker of trucks, buses, special vehicles, and passenger cars in China, is partnering with U.S.-based Freescale to shorten the automaker's vehicle-development cycle. The alliance will take the form of a joint lab at an existing FAW tech center. Freescale will provide cutting-edge technologies and system-level solutions, as well as semiconductor devices (such as the Qorivva MPC56xx family of 32-bit MCUs and the company’s SafeAssure solutions for functional safety), development tools, reference platforms, and dedicated support resources. The lab’s focus will be on powertrain control, chassis control, active safety, new energy technologies, and other automotive electronics. “Automobile electronics is one of the five key focal points of FAW, and the core technology that we want to master," said Li Jun, Deputy Chief Engineer and Director of the Technology Center of FAW. "Partnering with Freescale will allow us to overcome technology difficulties we have encountered in the automobile electronics area as we strive to continue developing competitive vehicles, improve our integrated innovative capabilities, and therefore realize our branding strategy, which is ‘Quality, Technology, Innovation.’”
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Among FAW's product offerings is the Besturn B70.
Horiba supplies test cells for new Cat facility in China
Horiba Automotive Test Systems (ATS) has been contracted by Caterpillar Inc. to provide three heavy-duty test cells and one generator test system for the company’s new production base in Tianjin, China, by the start of production in January 2013. The multifunctional test cells will be used to analyze the high-capacity 3500 Series engines and generator packages of Caterpillar. Automatic guided vehicles will transport test specimens from rigging stations to test cells. Once in place, test specimens will undergo complete functional testing using advanced Horiba equipment. Test cell capacity of up to 3.6 MW will be used in the engine test cells, and the test systems will feature dual-language operator controls in both Mandarin and English. Horiba ATS established a 9400-m2 (101,000-ft2) manufacturing plant in Shanghai/Anting, China, in 2010; this contract accelerates its expansion into the Asian region.
Guangxi Yuchai to develop natural gas engines
Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co. Ltd. (GYMCL), the main operating subsidiary of China Yuchai International Ltd., has begun a new project to develop and produce a full portfolio of natural gas-powered engines to complement its current diesel-engine range, primarily for the large bus, mid- to heavy-duty truck, power generator, and marine engine markets. A new facility, with a capacity to produce 20,000 gas engines, will be constructed at the company’s main facility at Yulin City, Guangxi Province. It is expected to be operational in early 2013. The new facility also will undertake R&D efforts to advance production capabilities. GYMCL notes that China’s 12th Five-Year Plan targets natural gas to make up 8.3% of the primary energy mix by 2015, which represents about 9.2 trillion ft3 (260 billion m3) of gas, more than three times the consumption in 2008. According to GYMCL, the country’s major oil companies, China National Petroleum Corp., China Petrochemical Corp., and China National Offshore Oil Corp., are actively building pipelines and facilities to increase the use of natural gas.
VIA and Verizon to develop EVs for Verizon's fleet
Verizon and VIA Motors announced that they will collaborate to develop and demonstrate plug-in electric work vehicles using VIA's eREV (extended range electric vehicle) technology and evaluate the technology for possible wide-scale application into Verizon's fleet. The announcement was made at the National Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, where VIA demonstrated an "electrified" pickup truck and cargo van, two of the most widely used vehicles in Verizon's fleet. Both vehicles use VIA's eREV powertrain technology, enabling them to drive a majority of their daily work routes emission-free and entirely on electric power. The vehicles have up to 40 mi (64 km) of all-electric range, using lithium-ion batteries, with the capability to drive additional miles using VIA's onboard electric generator or range extender. To view a video of the plug-in electric work vehicles using VIA's proprietary eREV technology, visit this link.
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VIA anticipates the Verizon electrified work vehicles should improve fleet fuel economy up to 300% while cutting emissions in half or more.
Europe toughens truck cab safety test
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) on Jan. 4 published the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 29 on commercial vehicle cab safety which introduces some significant amendments to the pendulum impact test procedures, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. The changes increase the impact energy level for the existing front pendulum impact test from 44 kJ to 55 kJ, specify an additional front pendulum impact test designed to test the cab’s A-pillars, and require that the cab roof be subjected to a lateral pendulum impact prior to the roof crush test being conducted. Compliance with these new requirements becomes mandatory for new types of truck from Jan. 30, 2017.
SAE launches A/C conformance program and database
In response to industry and consumer requests, SAE International has developed a new program to provide conformance measures for the mobile air-conditioning (MAC) industry. Overseen by SAE International's Interior Climate Control Standards Committee, the program offers a procedure for certifying compliance with appropriate SAE International technical standards. It can be used by MAC manufacturers, along with testing facilities and providers of technical training. While certification of any product is voluntary, suppliers or manufacturers that advertise their products as certified to an SAE International “J” standard are required to follow the procedures established by the respective program (the organization has similar conformance programs addressing engine power ratings). In this case, the certification is designed to raise the level of confidence and to assure consumers of MAC components, equipment, and technician training programs that the providers are following and meeting the expected performance criteria set by SAE International standards. The program is governed by SAE J2911—“Procedure for Certification that Requirements for Mobile Air Conditioning System Components, Service Equipment, and Service Technician Training Meet SAE J Standards,” a revised version of which was issued in January. MAC industry suppliers may register for the program at http://macdb.sae.org/. The SAE MAC Manufacturer Database website also provides information about companies that have submitted claims of conformance. For more information, contact SAE conformance program manager Gary Pollak at gary@sae.org.
Molex expands cable assembly capabilities with acquisition
Molex Inc., an Illinois-based global electronic components company, has completed the acquisition of Temp-Flex Cable Inc., a designer and manufacturer of specialty wire and cable products for the aerospace, military, electronics, test and measurement, and industrial markets, among others. According to Mike Miskin, Vice President and General Manager, Cable Products Business Unit of Molex’s Global Integrated Products Division, this strategic acquisition will give Molex access to development and manufacturing expertise for products that will expand its high-performance cable assembly business. Based in South Grafton, MA, Temp-Flex Cable will operate as a subsidiary of Molex and will be part of the company’s Global Integrated Products Division.
Deutz forms third JV in China for engine production
Deutz AG and Shandong Changlin Machinery Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of agricultural machinery and construction equipment, have agreed to establish a joint venture, Deutz (Shandong) Engine Co., Ltd., for the production of 2011 series engines beginning in early 2013. These engines are designed for use in agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and industrial applications. By producing these engines with capacities of less than 4.0 L, the German manufacturer is scaling up its operations in China, where the Deutz (Dalian) Engine Co., Ltd. joint venture has been manufacturing Deutz-branded 4.0- to 8.0-L engines since 2007. Deutz holds a 70% stake in the new JV, which will be based in Linyi in Shandong province, while Shandong Changlin Machinery owns 30%. The plant will be designed to achieve an annual capacity of around 65,000 engines over the medium term. This JV will be managed on a day-to-day basis by Deutz, which also has a JV with Weichai Power named Weifang Weichai-Deutz Diesel Engine Co., Ltd.
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Deutz will now produce engines with capacities of less than 4.0 L (shown) in China to complement the Deutz-branded 4.0- to 8.0-L engines produced there since 2007.
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