APPLIED TECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
RESTORING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON AN ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE
Although established in 1991 as a Jaguar restoration specialist, and working on the mechanical refurbishment of a 1968 Series 1 Jaguar XJ6, the growing reputation of David Marks Garages led to a steady increase in the number and variety of models it refurbished. The business has built up a reputation for
competent and attentive servicing, with expertise in complex diagnostic procedures of the main electrical systems found within cars. So in 2003 it expanded into repairs of the Aston Martin Lagonda. Only 645 Lagonda’s were built between 1978 and 1990 and over 600 still exist. Over the last 12 years, David Marks Garages has worked on more than 30 of them. As Lagonda’s were electronically advanced
when they launched in 1978, the electrical systems – such as their multi-tactile switches – can need a lot of attention. It was therefore important that David Marks found a specialist manufacturer who was prepared for the challenge of replicating electrical dashboard panels and switches that could be up to 40 years old. The company first started working with Fascia Graphics 10 years ago, and they have since worked on eight different projects, which
have all been electrical system related. According to Fascia Graphics, the more general challenges it has met
on product developments include: • Replication of panel functionality and visual appearance • Exact match of texture, colour and translucency of the original panel and, at the same time, ensuring that other factors such as the heat from the backlighting would not degrade the panel over time
• Ability to work with components that are no longer widely available. For instance, Fascia needed to source special connections so that the original Aston Martin ribbon cables could plug-in to the new panels. The most recent and
complex project was for an Aston Martin Virage. The Virage’s instrumentation required a new multi-button touch panel, which was multi- layered and also needed a very specialised raised embossed finish. In order to achieve a perfect match, Fascia Graphics worked
with a US firm which produced bespoke tooling so that the embossed finish was identical to the original. “Fascia Graphics had to get this multi-layered panel right and ensure
it was as true to the original as possible,” commented David Marks. “They also had to reverse engineer the complex electrical matrix that appeared underneath the touch button panel. “In the ten years that we have worked with them, I have found them
unbelievably accommodating and flexible. They quickly understand what needs to be done, and they have consistently demonstrated an ability to always meet timeframes, ensuring each product is of the highest quality through their close attention to detail. And they’ve regularly met our agreed aim of the cost per part.”
Fascia Graphics
www.fasciagraphics.co.uk
HELPING TO IMPROVE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AERODYNAMICS
Improving the aerodynamics of commercial vehicles is becoming a priority amongst many body builders, with lightweight materials and streamlined designs making significant improvements to a vehicle’s performance. There have, in fact, been some technological advances when it comes to trailer designs. Body builders are working with specialist
suppliers to develop press brake formed chassis components and curved aluminium panels, developed with the support of experts in aerodynamics. One noticeable feature of the newest trailers is their sweeping aerodynamic designs, with curved roofs and streamlined bodies. JOST’s retro-fit solution, the SDR rood diffuser, can be mounted to almost any covered trailer and is
6 MAY 2016 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
designed to reduce air turbulence at the rear of the vehicle. The diffuser has delivered recorded savings of up to one litre of fuel per every 100km, which equates to 1500 litres saved per year (based on an annual distance of 150,000km, depending on factors such as driving speed, tyres, route profile, etc.). In addition to this, it’s also
possible to reduce drag by installing a Tridec mechanical steering system which reduces the width of road used for larger commercial vehicles by steering the trailer’s axles in relation to the tractor’s steering. The resulting reduction in friction between the rear tyres and the road during turning directly improves the fuel consumption of the vehicle. Tyre wear is also reduced. Mike Johnson, JOST UK sales and marketing
director, commented: “Weight is just as important an issue as aerodynamics for improving vehicle efficiency, which is why lightweight metals like aluminium are becoming more popular with body builders. Of course,
weight saving is something that we have a particular expertise in thanks to Edbro.” Hydraulic tipping cylinders from Edbro also
offer weight saving capabilities – the company is able to offer a comprehensive range of cylinders which are light, fast and strong, such as the CX14/15 range of rigid cylinders.
JOST
www.jostuk.co.uk
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