Long fibre reinforced P: pipe dream or reality ?
Interview with Hein Koelmann, Dow Automotive

Together with GE-Plastics, Dow Automotive is one of the few suppliers of materials successfully offering both Engineering Plastics and Polypropylene (PP) as a fibre matrix for use in automotive applications. Why this is so? And what obstacles still have to be overcome when it comes to the use of PP? These are questions which we put to Hein Koelman, Global Technology Leader --Interiors, Dow Automotive. ....read more!

Carmaker opens door to composite
Verton polypropylene on Mazda 6 door modules

Verton MFX long glass fibre reinforced polypropylene composite from LNP Engineering Plastics is central to the ‘first of its type’ door module carrier in the Mazda 6 series mid-size car which was launched in Europe in January 2003. ....read more!

Compact interiors move upmarket
Door trim panels get a makeover

Faurecia experts have worked with Krauss-Maffei to perfect a process for back injection of Soft Touch door inner trim panels for the new Opel Corsa . ....read more!

Smart and Brilliant
Smart Surface Technology brings light to plastics

Luminous plastic components capable of three-dimensional deformation which use hardly any energy, give off no heat, have an extremely long life and require no maintenance have now been successfully produced for the first time. The “Smart Surface Technology” used in this process has permitted the development of flat luminous components suitable for use in a wide range of applications. ....read more!

Hybrid technology in automotive constructions

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Avalanche sweeps away Tiger Stripes
Chevrolet uses SEQUEL 1880 engineered polyolefin

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche features two lockable storage compartments, one on either side of its reconfigurable cargo box. The covers for these compartments are moulded in SEQUEL 1880 engineered polyolefin. ....read more!

Speed of light prototype
SUV’s prototype lighting lens package was produced in a mere 6 weeks, rather than months, by a specialistprototype company.

In the world of upmarket SUV’s the marketing buzz words are elegance and toughness, as car manufacturers increasingly look to broaden the appeal of these vehicles. What is certain is that by the time the process reaches the production line ruggedness and luxury have got to be in harmonious partnership. ....read more!

Working in Partnership
Intake manifold for BMW 7 series made out of Vyncolit

Development of an intake manifold for the eight-cylinder 7 series BMW (735i;745i) was a co-operative project between the automaker BMW Group, system supplier Pierburg AG, component manufacturer Baumgarten GmbH and Vyncolit, the materials supplier. The challenge was to develop an eight-cylinder petrol engine that would generate an increased level of torque compared to that of its predecessor. Key to achieving this was the introduction of a unique, continuously variable intake manifold, injection moulded in Vyncolit’s glass fibre reinforced engineering phenolic. ....read more!

A first for the industry claimed
Thermoplastic Wiper System on 2003 Lincoln Town Car

The industry’s first injection-moulded thermoplastic windshield wiper bracket (nosecone) system is being introduced on the 2003 Lincoln Town Car, and it is already claimed to deliver significant cost and weight benefits. ....read more!

Simulation aids complex design
Washer reservoir gets software treatment

Three years ago Accuform, in collaboration with the Reinhold Hagen Foundation, took over from a large automotive manufacturer a project to look again at the design of a blow-moulded windscreen washer reservoir. The project focused on optimising wall strength, and thereby reducing material content. ....read more!

Double Quick
Open House for Tandem Machine at Husky

April 2003 found just under 100 delegates with their heads between three platens on the new tandem machine at an “Open House” held by Husky in Dudelange/ Luxembourg. They were taking a closer look at how two standard tools can be made to run on a single injection moulding machine. ....read more!

A clear light on intelligent design
Polycarbonate - the new glass?

Polycarbonate is making rapid headway as the material of choice for headlamp lenses in a number of different cars, and is currently used on the Smart car’s rear screen. The rear screen now seems the next logical step for mass production. At the forthcoming NPE, Battenfeld, along with Summerer and Exatec, will be unveiling a large-surface screen. ....read more!

NPE 2003,

the plastics and elastomers exhibition is to be held in Chicago’s McCormick Place from 23rd to 27th June 2003. A triennial event, it will feature innovations and technological developments related to all aspects of the industry, including automotive, appliance, medical and packaging. The exhibition is expected to attract 90 000 visitors from 100 countries. A recent survey by the organisers revealed that, of 550 exhibitors responding, some 60% said they serve the automotive industry and its component suppliers directly or through their customers, and 16% also cited non-automotive transportation as another important market. Running alongside the exhibition, on-site educational programmes organised by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) will include multi-presentation sessions on extrusion, injection moulding, resins and additives, design, material testing, assembly, and other topics.
Other topics to be featured include computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems; rapid prototyping equipment; new materials for emerging applications such as drive train components, TPO instrument panel skins, and “soft touch” interior components; moulds and other tooling for specific parts like gas tanks, interior trim, and engine manifolds; and contract manufacturing. The organisers expect in excess of 2 000 exhibitors this year, 25% of whom will be from outside the USA.
www.npe.org . ....read more!