Lightweighting
continues
There
is an article
on lightweighting efforts at Toyota. It
states:
Toyota Motor Corp. is set to become the next global automaker to begin making the expensive shift from steel to aluminum for a high-volume vehicle. … The U.S.-built Camry, the country's best-selling car, is slated to get an aluminum hood in 2018, according to a source familiar with the plans. … Toyota declined to comment on specific plans for the Camry but said it plans to use more aluminum across its lineup. … "Toyota has plans to use aluminum on future vehicles for hood, closures and parts for lightweighting," said spokeswoman Jana Hartline. "Also, we will increase usage of mix metals and resin materials to enhance lightweighting efforts."
As
an engineer I have no trouble with whatever material does the best job at the
lowest cost and weight. That said, I am
sure that iron castings, especially Austempered Ductile Iron, can contribute to
smaller vehicles the same way they are applied in heavy trucks. Any executive who approves aluminum these
days achieves a rare two-for-one: they look like a visionary and get to jump on
the bandwagon at the same time. I will try harder … and the iron casting
industry needs to try harder, too.
Suppliers becoming
more important?
In the latest Automotive News I saw this tidbit in an editorial about consolidation in the automotive supply base:
Today, fewer and larger suppliers control many key technologies and can choose which automakers get their latest products first. And as automakers expand their international markets, they need suppliers that have global footprints. It's another reason why automakers must build more collaborative relationships with their supply-chain partners. Even the largest carmakers cannot push around suppliers such as Bosch, Denso, Magna International and Continental.
True enough! I
would amend it only this way: None of us should push any of us around, anyway. Suppliers will bend over backward for those
customers who treat them with respect. The best customers know this and they benefit from
it.
Austempered Ductile
Iron in the field
This ADI bottle opener is being put to the test in Athens, Ohio, among some thirsty individuals. It will be an excellent experiment in the wear-resistance of this material. This man will get a lunch on AP for sending us the photo.
