Items Tagged with 'automotive lightweighting'

NORMAL, IL—Rivian Automotive Inc. will assemble its much-anticipated R2 on a "technologically advanced production line that runs on smart and connected digital systems."

Automakers are investing in new technology that enables them to produce large castings. The goal is to consolidate parts, reduce complexity and eliminate weight.

Bonding enables mixed-material joining of battery packs, body panels and other components.

TROY, MI—A variety of electric vehicles received recognition in the Society of Plastics Engineers’ 2023 Automotive Innovation Awards.

TOKYO—One of the many ways to reduce the energy required for transportation is to make vehicles lighter. High-strength (HS) steels are perfect materials for this purpose, as their higher weight-to-strength ratio allows for the use of less metal to achieve a similar structural integrity. Many automobile companies believe HS steels will be essential for building cars in the future. 

ITZEHOE, Germany—After three years of development, ElectricBrands AG has built a fully functional prototype of the XBUS, a lightweight modular electric vehicle. Production is set to begin here in mid-2022.

Like a third-string quarterback awaiting his moment in the spotlight, magnesium has been sitting patiently on the light-weighting sideline. But, it may finally get its turn to shine in automotive applications, thanks to several recent breakthroughs.

As automakers and suppliers search for new ways to reduce vehicle weight, some engineers are experimenting with natural fibers. Bamboo, cotton, hemp, jute, kenaf, rice and other crops can be used to produce high-strength composite structures for automotive applications.

Lightweighting is the No. 1 challenge facing automotive engineers today. Manufacturers are scrambling to build vehicles that contain a variety of weight-saving materials, such as aluminum, carbon-fiber composites, high-strength steel, magnesium and plastic.