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Motorised tailgates use combined materials
In pursuing its modular strategy, Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior has developed new solutions in three fields – motorised rear access doors, vehicle front ends and bumpers. |
01/11/2007
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Mixed blessings
Hybrid structures that optimise the capabilities of both metals and plastics are well established. Steve Snook looks at developments that will extend their application |
01/10/2007
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Panel games
At the launch of the Lotus Europa S last autumn, chief of design Russell Carr said the form of a design should reflect the spirit of the car. As Steve Snook reports, designers are adopting a variety of approaches to create the exterior panels that help shape that spirit |
01/09/2007
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Integrated fender protects pedestrians
The new BMW X5 fender module is probably the most complex and highly integrated example we have seen to date, writes Roger Bishop. The functions and parts included are pedestrian protection absorber, headlamp reinforcements, wheel housing, cleaning systems, airbag sensors and cooling devices. |
01/05/2007
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Power sliding doors need no tracks
A power sliding door mechanism that requires no sliding guide rails has been developed for both front and rear applications, writes Roger Bishop. |
01/02/2007
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Aluminium nanofoams set to transform impact absorbers
An Austrian company is leveraging nanotechnology control processes in the development of closed-cell aluminium foam, writes Roger Bishop. They can be formed into any shape and have huge potential for the automotive industry within a few years. |
01/02/2007
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Front-end modules go all-plastic
A combination of advanced polymers, 3D modelling and the pressure of new legislation are bringing about a revolution in the design of automotive front ends, writes Lou Reade. |
01/10/2006
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Body talk
The material choice for the body in white is becoming less a matter of one over another as methods are developed for joining dissimilar metals and other factors come into play. Jeff Daniels reports |
01/02/2006
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Crash control
Roger Bishop reports on some pioneering work being undertaken to incorporate novel energy absorbing elements into armatures for front and rear bumper |
01/02/2006
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Lightweight champion
Bumper crossbeams and crash boxes are key elements in passive passenger protection, and aluminium components offer lower weight with similar or even enhanced protective efficiency. Klaus Vollrath reports on their production |
01/03/2005
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Still active in passive safety
Amid all the developments in active safety devices it might be easy to overlook the contribution passive systems can still make. Steve Snook looks at how research and best practice is progressing in this area |
01/03/2005
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Steeling an advantage
Volume and cost are the keys to body structures, with advances in the well established steel sheet tending to counter possible inroads by aluminium and plastics. Jeff Daniels looks at the trend — which appears to be more of the same |
01/01/2005
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Hybrid IP depends on bonding
Dow Automotive has developed a bonded plastic-metal instrument panel cross-car beam structure, integrating the air delivery system, column support structure and a range of other functions. The design has been validated by a European vehicle OEM. |
01/10/2004
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Integrated belt-and-pulley cuts crash deformation
A novel means of distributing front-end crash energy through the body in white is being proposed by a team from the mechanical engineering department at Spain’s University of Zaragoza, writes Roger Bishop. |
01/06/2004
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