Automotive Technology News

Audi is working on a project to achieve "carbon dioxide neutral" power generation. This "balanced mobility" effort described in a video seeks to construct offshore wind turbines to supply electrical energy for electric vehicles. Excess power can be used to generate hydrogen by electrolysis and compressed synthetic natural gas (combining hydrogen with CO₂) — which could then power vehicles. Hydrogen and "e-gas" would be used for longer range vehicles. "Methanation" of e-gas contains CO₂ in a closed-loop manufacturing/end-use cycle for a zero net emission of the greenhouse gas into the environment.


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Avago's R²Coupler™ automotive optocouplers (AEC-Q100 qualified) provide reinforced insulation and reliability that delivers safe signal isolation critical in automotive and high temperature industrial applications.

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Nowadays NVH engineers face pressure to test more vehicles and produce results more quickly. Prosig's new RapidResults NVH software was designed with speed in mind. RapidResults NVH provides results in seconds not days or hours. Complete the test and view the results. Visit prosig.com to find out more.

Saint-Gobain's NORGLIDE® bearings and RENCOL® tolerance rings offer convenient and cost-effective solutions for an impressive range of automotive applications — chassis, powertrain, electric motors, interior/exterior. These bearings offer lifetime friction control, tolerance compensation and efficient assembly, noise and vibration improvement, and weight, space, and cost savings by design.

National Instruments has been a leading provider of PXI systems since PXI's inception in 1997. With the modular, software-defined configuration of NI PXI, engineers can create customized testing solutions for their evolving system requirements and needs. Learn more about the distinguishing features of the NI PXI platform. Read the white paper series.

The MODUM project, now underway in the European Union, could prevent vehicle congestion and gridlock on busy roads. In an effort to reduce automobile pollution and avoid hefty construction projects, MODUM will enable cars to communicate via wireless network about road conditions — which could avoid traffic jams and save travel time. Prototype wireless devices are currently being prepared.

Driver assistance systems can now have additional sensor data to help them with their decision-making. Researchers have developed a sensor that can distinguish between twilight and fog. Because these two conditions have nearly identical spectra, it's difficult for vehicle electronics to distinguish between them based solely on image data. The new sensor emits infrared light, which fog reflects, but twilight will not.

Using a nano-engineered thin film coating, the University of South Australia and the CRC for Advanced Automotive Technology have developed a molded plastic mirror for cars. The "green" mirror reduces weight by 50%, has a high resistance to temperature fluctuations, and resists shattering in crash situations, unlike its glass counterparts.

Designed to be less complex, less costly, and more environmentally-friendly, a new process that eliminates VOCs is being refined by Ford to attach windshields to vehicles. In the first part of the two-patent process, windshield glass is cleaned and activated in < 10 sec; in the second, a plasma-reacted nanocoating modifies the windshield surface to improve the bonding of the adhesive.

AGITATION iMMERSION parts washers have 50 years proven capability for high production cleaning of precision turned, CNC machined, stampings, and deep drawn components. Jenfab Vertimatic machines combine Agitated Immersion and Turbulation for optimal cleaning action to remove chips-lubricants and shop soils.

Lean Clean parts washers are used for cellular cleaning.

HyperCyl-EMA provides the speed, performance, and flexibility required for today's precision assembly applications. EMA can offer speeds reaching 500 mm/sec, repeatability of .00254 mm, and Output Forces from 5-230 kN. Add the HyperView-Press for Active-Cycle Quality Control to further reduce costs and part non-conformance, while improving competitiveness. Speed, Precision, Power.

Providing high-performance adhesion to a vast range of materials, BETAMATE™ structural adhesives can help improve vehicle durability and reduce weight while providing cost savings. BETAMATE structural adhesives replace welds and mechanical fasteners, helping reduce fatigue and failure commonly found around spot welds and fasteners. Visit DOW Automotive to learn more.

The surge in recent automobile recalls has brought renewed focus on auto maker quality control. Download "A Checklist for Quality," a new eBook offered by Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping, for objective evaluation tools for selecting a quality-driven supplier of precision metal stampings.

Cutting the mass of moving auto engine components contributes to fuel economy — but any such reduction cannot adversely affect durability. This recently archived article and white paper describes how Mahle Industries has fabricated a lightweight forged steel connecting rod suitable for production. Using a fine-grained micro alloy 20% stronger than current powder-forged alloys with good machinability (and not needing any secondary operations such as heat treating) resulted in a rod 27% lighter. The design features an optimized pin bore profile and flexible pockets for oil transport.

Volvo engineers have been crash testing electric vehicles to learn about the effects on batteries, where to place them, the impact of their mass on vehicle behavior, and disconnect (cutoff) methods. Designers are also evaluating energy absorbing structures to mount the batteries in such cars (and hybrids) to protect both the power packs and a vehicle's occupants.

Topping the list of Motor Trend's most popular videos of 2011 is footage of what's billed as "The World's Greatest Drag Race," an event that included 11 cars! On the line: BMW 1-Series M; Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca; Porsche 911 GT3 RS; Chevy Corvette Z06/Z07; Ferrari 458 Italia; Nissan GT-R; Audi R8 GT; Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG; Lexus LFA; Porsche Cayman R; Lotus Evora S.

In just a few months' time, the video has become Motor Trend's fourth most popular ever, racking up nearly five million views. Why? Watch the race and see for yourself.

Internal combustion engines are likely to be around for a long time. So what are the practical limits to minimizing their environmental effects? That is the question explored in this article from ingenia.org.uk, which argues that one particular piece of technology — the exhaust gas turbo charger — could make a significant contribution to the downsizing of combustion engines. A recently developed three-cylinder engine using this approach, for instance, can generate 160 hp from a displacement of just 1.2 liter.

EXEL North America, Inc. manufactures Kremlin Rexson, SAMES, and Johnstone brand products, specializing in protection and finishing systems for body, bumper, engine, and underbody painting. We offer over 75 years of experience in bonding, sealing, and fluid handling.

With the world's most advanced symbolic computation engine and revolutionary physical modeling techniques, MapleSim is uniquely positioned to develop high-fidelity models of automotive powertrain and vehicle dynamic systems, including engines, transmissions, brakes, drivelines, automotive suspensions, steering, tires, and body dynamics. Download the complimentary physical modeling information kit to learn more.

Interlaken offers Pressure Testing Systems for impulse testing, leak testing, burst testing, and autofrettage. Interlaken's integrated package offers the dependability of a production system coupled with the precision, repeatability, and data acquisition necessary for production and R&D. Visit www.interlaken.com/pressure-systems/. Call 952.856.4210. Email sales@interlaken.com.

Tapered Section Retaining Rings are the most common type of retaining ring in use today. They are manufactured by stamping rolled steel into the finished shape, or by coiling rectangular section wire and then cutting out the taper and lug holes.

FUTEK's Webinar:
Exploring Load Cells Through a Miniature S-Beam Jr. Sensor — 2/15/2012

On Feburary 15, FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. will present "Exploring Load Cells Through a Miniature S-Beam Jr. Sensor". Join your peers for this free, informative, and interactive ONLINE webinar — right from the convenience of your desktop. Learn more about FUTEK's USB technology and USB sensor applications. Register today!

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