OPEN HOUSE | AUTOMOTIVE
plastics composites. “The right kind of plastics in the right place” was Rausch’s theme. One “right place” is a rear wall structure (behind the passen- ger compartment) on the new A8. CFRP makes sense here, Rausch said, because a single compo- nent can replace a multi-metal assembly. Sabic’s Matteo Terragni discussed numerous lightweighting possibilities. Sabic continues to push concepts for all-plastics tailgates, and Terragni said there is also renewed interest in using plastics for fenders, an area that has seen a lull in recent years. Hybrid construction is the future for the body-in- white structure, Terragni added. He cited the use of metal/Noryl GTX (polyamide modified PPE) in such parts as floor rocker reinforcement, B pillar rein- forcement, and front rail extensions. Terragni also cited the largest polycarbonate rear
quarter panel window yet in production – 1,200 by 450mm – on an Engel Duo production cell at Ningbo Shentong Auto Decorations in China. The facility is the first mass production PC glazing line in the country. The window is fitted to SAIC General Motors’ new Buick GL8 and GL8 Avenir luxury MPVs (which are only available in China). It is 40% (3kg) lighter and has design elements integrated into it
that would not be possible with glass. During a press discussion in St. Valentin, Engel’s Michael Fischer, sales manager for technologies, said that interest in plastics glazing is currently strongest in Asia, possibly because design engineer- ing in the west is more firmly anchored in mineral glass and metal. “The supply chain needs a lot of support for this technology to advance,” he said.
Spoiler production on an Engel Duo 1500 with a Universal Automotive Screw
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