Tesla, Inc. submitted a patent application, titled “System and Method for Facilitating Pulsed Spray Quench of Extruded Objects.” The patent application describes a quenching process that aims to increase the strength, rigidity, and energy absorption of 6000 series extruded aluminum components. During the extrusion process, the microstructure of the aluminum can have a significant impact on […]
Volvo, the automaker known for making some of the safest cars in the world, has created a new safer electric vehicle by incorporating the battery within the aluminum structure of its upcoming Polestar 2. Enclosed in an aluminum case for protection and rigidity, the battery pack is fully housed within the floor structure of the […]
Tesla is developing its latest electric vehicle, the Model Y, a fully electric compact utility vehicle (CUV) that will have the longest range of any electric CUV or sports utility vehicle (SUV), lasting for 300 miles before needing to be recharged. Of this, 168 miles worth can be charged in 15 minutes at ‘supercharger’ locations around […]
By Lynn Brown, Contributing Editor. In order for automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers to develop aluminum applications for cars and trucks, they need to understand the capabilities of existing designs, whether sheet, extrusions, or castings, etc. Analyzing the use of aluminum in existing production vehicles to see how they compare is one way for a […]
By Geoff Scamans, Innoval Technology and Brunel University. The majority of the U.K.’s greenhouse gas emissions now come from transport, a sector whose emissions rose by 2% according to the recently released 2016 figures from the U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Transport accounts for 26% of the U.K.’s greenhouse gas emissions, […]
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 […]
The National Research Council of Canada has formed a new alliance called ALTec Industrial research R&D Group to consolidate research efforts in the Canadian aluminum sector for the development of innovative aluminum products for ground transportation vehicles. As a cost-effective and sustainable material, aluminum is increasingly being used to manufacture components for lightweight vehicles which […]
In 2013, two incidents occurred in which Tesla Model S cars struck debris in the road, which resulted in underbody damage that caused car fires. “In both cases, the occupants walked away unharmed, thanks to the car’s safety features,” said Elon Musk, chariman, product architect, and ceo of Tesla in a press release online. “The […]
