INDUSTRY news
GM Wins Funding to Develop Magnesium Diecasting Process General Motors, in collaboration
with Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc., Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, and T e Ohio State Univ., Columbus, Ohio, has won a $2.7 million Energy Department grant to explore magnesium diecasting technology. T e project, which will also be
funded by $668,031 in cost sharing, is intended to develop an integrated super-vacuum diecasting process using a new magnesium alloy to achieve a 50% energy savings compared to the stamping and joining process currently used to manufacture car doors. By substituting thin-walled magnesium castings for steel inner panels, car doors could weigh 60% less, resulting in signifi cant fuel economy improvements and carbon emission savings. In 2010, Meridian won several
awards for a 17.6-lb. magnesium liftgate casting used on the Lincoln MKT. T e part was at the time the largest diecast magnesium closure panel used in the world. It replaced a six-piece steel weldment and off ered the customer more than 20% weight savings while functioning as the primary structural load bearing component in the liftgate assembly. T e Energy Department award
was part of more than $54 million allocated to 13 projects across the country to advance technologies and materials that can help American manufacturers increase energy effi ciency. “By investing in breakthrough
technologies that can drastically reduce the amount of energy consumed during manufacturing, the Energy Department is supporting President Obama’s blueprint for an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy and skills for American workers,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Additional awards were presented
to 12 companies and research institutions across the country. Several of the companies were automotive component suppliers.
Jul/Aug 2012 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 9
A new diecasting process is intended to produce magnesium door frames to replace steel. Meridian Lightweight Technologies cast the frame of this liftgate for the Lincoln MKT.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60