Structural adhesives are gaining applications as engineers employ them with lightweight materials to help achieve a continuous bond for improved vehicle rigidity and other benefits.
The American Chemistry Council and researchers at Michigan State University have demonstrated that a new “reversible” adhesive for multi-material joining actually gets stronger after use and repair/rebonding.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)'s all-new Ingenium modular, turbocharged gasoline and diesel engine range targets significant internal friction reduction by using rolling-element bearings to support camshafts and balance shafts.
Aerodynamic experts are cautiously optimistic that a long-awaited leap in vehicle fuel efficiency is advancing toward near-term production: the replacement of the two exterior mirrors with camera-based streaming-vision technology—at no overall cost penalty.
A lightweight composite material shaped by a unique assembly technique forms a grille opening reinforcement designed specifically for the high-performance 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang.
As progress has been made toward adopting aluminum for automotive structures, industry leaders have realized that, to keep aluminum vehicles safe, they must consider not just their manufacturing process but also their repair. I-CAR helps technicians learn the necessary new methods for working with aluminum.
Interface Performance Materials has introduced two new thermal shields in the Select-a-Shield thermal product family—THH-1010 and TFP-3065—the first innovations in a series scheduled to be released through 2016.
Texas Instruments has introduced the first fully integrated LED matrix manager for adaptive automotive headlight systems, in a scalable solution that reduces board space by 73% and controls up to 96 high-brightness LEDs.
An anchor product for T/CCI Manufacturing, the 7H wobble plate compressor is claimed to be the leading design in the industry for the heavy-duty truck and construction sector.
At Envisage, traditional coachbuilding skills blend with 3D printing and other digital tools to create concept/show vehicles and individual bespoke solutions.
There is more pressure than ever on heavy-truck engineers to find and create significant improvements in fuel economy and reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. Aerodynamic opportunities exist with technologies such as active grille shutters and truck platooning—and simulation will help to optimize these designs.
The automaker is developing a camera-based lighting system that can automatically widen dipped beams at road junctions and roundabouts. It is also researching infrared image triggered spotlighting and an intelligent GPS linked system.
Baytec AS is a new acoustical spray technology from Covestro, formerly Bayer MaterialScience. There is a patent pending for this innovative new approach, which uses a higher level of sound-blocking fillers than current solutions.
Industry experts at Hyundai and Ford address the opportunities and challenges involved with moving toward composite-intensive vehicles. The Ford Multi-Material Lightweight Vehicle project, a collaboration with the U.S. DOE and Vehma International, illustrates the automaker's efforts to move toward lighter-weight materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, and advanced high-strength steels.
ROHM Semiconductor's new 16-model lineup of low-dropout regulators (LDOs) are optimized for MCU power supplies in automotive body and powertrain systems.
No area of the third-generation Tucson crossover utility vehicle was left untouched by Hyundai engineers, but particular attention was placed on re-engineering the chassis for improved ride and handling, and importantly, better NVH characteristics. The CUV employs a dual-reinforcing panel rear wheelhouse design, which optimizes panels that are prone to vibration, resulting in a 109% increase in rigidity.