By Andrew Halonen, Mayflower Consulting, LLC. Vehicle construction has always been a multi-material story. Instrument panels are comprised of plastic, foam, and metal, while seats are made from leather or fabric covering foam on a steel structure. Looking under the hood, the engine block is often made of cast iron with cylinder heads made of […]
Weld.com answers a Forum question, in which they were asked for any recommendations for automating aluminum TIG welding. The answer: while, it is much more difficult to automate aluminum welding than it is other metals, it can be done.
The Global Lightweight Vehicle Manufacturing (GALM) Congress 2014 will take place in Detroit, Michigan on May 28-29, 2014. Driven by the need to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions, automotive OEMs are reducing vehicle weights by using advanced materials, such as high-strength aluminum and steel, as well as magnesium alloys. With new lightweight developments creating […]
As screw fasteners are so often used in aluminum structures, the structural integrity of joints made with these fasteners are highly dependent on proper design guidelines. The Hydro Extrusion Design Manual 2009 and The Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Design Manual 2005 present general design guidelines for mechanical connections. The Hydro Manual includes joining guidelines for longitudinal […]
