Sapa, which was recently acquired by Norsk Hydro, is reopening its extrusion factory in Bedwas, Wales, U.K. to supply the growing automotive industry demand for lightweight body structure solutions. The company is investing £9.6 million in the plant refurbishment and new equipment to supply advanced aluminum components. “This is a great day for both Sapa and manufacturing in […]
Gränges AB has announced two plans to expand rolling capacity in the U.S. Tennessee Expansion Granges will invest US$110 million to expand its aluminum foil rolling operation in Huntingdon, Tennessee, in order to meet growing demand for light gauge foil, automotive heat exchanger materials, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications. “The expansion in Huntingdon […]
The Rolls Royce Phantom has been an icon of luxury vehicles since it was introduced in 1925. The company is continuing this tradition of luxury with the introduction of the 2018 Phantom VII (first announced in January 2016), which features an all-new aluminum architecture. Dubbed “The Architecture of Luxury,” the space frame has been designed and […]
Audubon Metals LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Enterprises Inc., is investing $8.3 million in its facility in Henderson, KY, which produces secondary aluminum using shredded automotive metal. The expansion will add nearly 21,000 sq ft of manufacturing space — enlarging it to more than 333,000 sq ft — in order to house a fifth reverberatory furnace […]
The ALUMINUM USA trade show debuted for the first time in 2015, providing a comprehensive overview of the entire aluminum industry and its application areas, with a focus on North America. In its second iteration, the event has moved to Nashville, TN, and will be held on October 25-26, 2017. ALUMINUM USA expects around 200 […]
Over the next decade, automakers will continue to increase the adoption of high-strength, low weight aluminum in new car and truck construction at a faster pace than any time in history. Total aluminum content is expected to grow from 397 pounds per vehicle (PPV) in 2015 to 565 PPV by 2028, representing 16% of total vehicle weight, according […]
The latest edition of the BMW 5 Series saves 137 lbs (62 kg) compared to the previous model, while body strength and torsional rigidity have been increased. This is thanks to the use of lightweight materials including aluminum, magnesium, and high-strength steel. The new design includes a low center of gravity, a perfectly balanced axle load ratio, […]
The new 2017 R8 Spyder feature a mixed material construction designed to improve performance and fuel economy. Designed with close cooperation between racing engineers, motorsport specialists, and developers, the street version of the R8 has a significant boost in performance. The R8 Spyder features a new multi-material Audi Space Frame (ASF) that combines aluminum components with components made of […]
By Lynn Brown, Consulting Collaborative. A few years ago, if you were involved in a collision, you may not have given much thought to the repair shop. Of course, you wanted the repairs to your vehicle done right and you may have dreaded the go-around with your insurance company, but you probably didn’t focus on […]
