A Firm Grip
The laser-welded external door handle on the Passat B6

For the first time a keyless entry system is a standard feature for accessing the Passat B6. Each year around 30,000 vehicles come off the production line with a door system of this kind. The system, consisting of a transmitter in the key that transmits data to a receiver in the vehicle, has been developed by the automotive supplier Witte Automotive in Velbert/Germany. The electronics downstream of the receiver decode the data and operate the sensor technology correspondingly for opening and closing the doors or the boot. If you approach the vehicle with a key of this type, the system will automatically instigate bi-directional communication between the vehicle and the key. Following the successful interchange of all data the vehicle will be automatically locked / unlocked. A door lock still exists for use in emergencies but it is concealed and not visible at first sight. ....read more!

Fakuma 2006
International trade fair for plastics processing

The international trade fair for plastics processing will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 17 through 21 October 2006, and will introduce an additional product range. As of this year, exhibitors are presenting their companies at the virtual trade fair as well, which is available to interested parties 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1.168 exhibiting companies have registered their trade fair products, which they will present on 67.000 square metres of exhibition floor space at the new Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre. Based upon registrations received to date, the following areas will receive primary emphasis at Fakuma 2006: semi-finished goods, technical components and reinforced plastics parts (1346), services (722) and raw materials (699). ....read more!

Large parts in continuous production
Krauss-Maffei at Fakuma 2006t

One of the machines Krauss-Maffei will be showing at the Fakuma 2006 is a KM 800-8100 MX. The MX range of big injection moulding machines is engineered for tough
continuous production of large parts. Outstanding features of the MX series are the fast two-platen clamp and the high-performance plasticizing unit, which together deliver very high and sustained productivity. ....read more!

50 years young
DuPont at Fakuma 2006

Advancements in engineering polymers for innovative applications from the world of automotive manufacture, amongst others, are the highlights of the DuPont exhibit at Fakuma 2006. The company will also celebrate the 50th birthday of their Delrin polyacetal. ....read more!

Never the twain shall meet ... but they did !
Radiation cross-linked PA66-GV for new BMW air tank

Joma-Polytec Kunststofftechnik GmbH at Bodelshausen, Germany, was given the assignment by Modine Manufacturing Company - a specialist in heat transfer solutions to make the charge air cooler tank for the compressor of the new BMW Series One. One requirement - the ever-increasing charge air temperatures - was a challenge. The intercooler for the cooling of the engine intake air, located after the turbocharger, is made of aluminium and also comprises two laterally-placed air tanks, for charge air inflow and outflow. The charge air intake tank needs high durability under pressure and heat as well as noise suppressing properties. In this case, the air tank unit has to withstand momentary temperatures of 180 to 200°C while also reducing noise emissions from the vehicle. ....read more!

Effective co-operation is the key
Potential uses of plastics in suction systems

The basic problems involved in using plastics in the future are possible requirements in terms of temperature and contact with oil and fuel. The trend towards bio-fuels should be noted here. Polyamides already in use today display a very good level of resistance to (for example) bio-disel! ....read more!

HONDA FR-V
Vehicle of the month

The purpose of this section which we feature in every edition of our magazine is to present the results of design analysis of vehicles recently launched on the automobile market. This article was produced in collaboration with Mavel, a European leader in car design analysis. The aim of this article is not to present a detailed examination of a design (which is available in “Mavel’s report”) but rather to throw light on some noteworthy aspects. ....read more!

On the road to growth
Lanxess AG is casting off old liabilities and planning acquisitions

It is now just under two years since Lanxess AG was hived off from the Bayer Group and already the company is once more looking confidently to the future. Mountains of debt are being paid back and they are now again looking at appropriate investments – as was made public at the international media day 2006 in Leverkusen on 14th September. ....read more!

Think leather, see PU
Interiors with fine PU moulded skin

The Mercedes SLK-Class already has it, the S-Class is just going into production with it - the moulded skin from the polyurethane system, Elastoskin. Even though some purists are finding it hard to turn their back on leather, the use of PU for car interiors is a growing trend. As well as being ultra-light, incredibly versatile, and low in emissions during production, the moulded skin also boasts a high-quality finish. ....read more!

Sprinting with PP
Polypropylene for the new Mercedes “Sprinter” van

Sabic’s longstanding business relationship with Mercedes-Benz (15 years) is an example of a successful collaboration within the automotive industry. On the road to success with the Mercedes Sprinter (NCV3) Mercedes-Benz purchases Sabic materials through component suppliers for models such as the A-Class (interior fittings), the E-Class (bumpers) and the new M-Class (dashboard mounts). ....read more!

Versatility Matters
Degussa presents materials for under the hood applications

Degussa’s recent offers for the automotive industry comprise such versatile matters as plastic-rubber composite technology for the manufacture of spark plug tubes or plastic systems for multilayer coolant lines and furthermore long-term heat resistant PEEK. The latter finds its applications in components such as pistons and bearings, brakes and air-conditioning systems or in carbon fibre reinforced components that are being used in anti-lock braking systems. Also in gears for electronic drives you may find this powerful material. ....read more!

Off-road with plastic
Plastic replaces magnesium construction

Key Safety Systems, an international automotive supplier headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA, ZF Boge Elastmetall of Damme, Germany, and BASF have joined forces in developing the housing for the passenger airbag used in the new Audi Q7. This is Audi‘s first passenger airbag housing made of plastic for its high-end models. ....read more!

From bottle to car
Polymers derived from post consumer waste for car components

GE Plastics celebrated two significant additions to its ecomagination portfolio: Valox iQ and Xenoy iQ resins. The new products were developed as a result of a successful two-year initiative at GE Plastics that examined the company‘s manufacturing processes to redefine how its products can be made to be cleaner and more environmentally responsible than traditional materials. For global automotive manufacturers the new resins offer options to address three critical environmental concerns: conserving energy, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing post-consumer waste. ....read more!

Read more about several products for the automotive industry
....read more!