FEATURE Automotive Supply Chain
Automotive moulding is on a new journey
Nigel Flowers, UK Managing Director of injection moulding specialist Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, examines the future of connected cars and the need for micro-precision components
M
obility is changing and, with it, automakers are gearing up for the ultimate electric and digitally-connected
reinvention. Already, vehicle interiors have moved toward greater comfort, convenience, driver safety and a sensory experience. Analysts predict 2022 will be the year of innovation acceleration for the industry, which stalled during the pandemic years. For exhaust engine vehicles, noise
reduction, effi ciency, weight reduction remain major trends. For hybrid vehicles the focus is on interior thermal management, to ensure the system can adapt to the ambient temperature and maintain comfort for passengers. And, for all-electric vehicles, design trends focus on improving the protection of the current. Trends like these add to the complexity of vehicle electronics, which in turn requires better connectors, micro-gears and micro- switches.
Coming of age With countries all over the world introducing legislation banning the sale of non-electric vehicles – some as early as 2025 and in the UK it’s 2030 – innovations and creativity thrive. Smart use of space, advanced safety features and driving range are all deal breakers for discerning buyers.
EV design is a major infl uence, especially the vehicle front. Unlike conventional passenger cars, designers are not constrained by internal combustion engines and fuel
48 March 2022 | Automation
tanks, which means functional parts can be packaged diff erently, and the engine bonnet will be more of a design element. Battery and fuel-cell EV technologies
are another critical area that requires new generations of parts and, consequently, new supply chains. It is an area where Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is regarded as a development partner, working with customers to determine the best solution. The company is currently supporting several projects to establish new market concepts, including the development of a new liquid silicone rubber system. This technology can be utilised in combination with others to produce parts for hybrid vehicle fuel cells.
The sensory experience As a result of AI and infotainment, car interiors are changing fast. Bulky dashboards are being replaced by more aesthetically- pleasing minimalist surfaces. Interior lighting, acoustic systems and sound insulation are being integrated into door panels.
These new automotive applications tend
to require new materials and processes like integration of function foils and backlighting for smart surfaces.
In-car voice assistance will also have a big
role to play. For many consumers, voice is one of the biggest purchasing infl uencers, suggests a report by Voicebot, allowing drivers to safely access navigation, detours and destination information. Ford pioneered its Bluetooth connectivity
in 2007 – brand consistency from home to car is emerging as a preference. As a testament, last April Lamborghini unveiled the fi rst car to rely entirely on Alexa to control environmental settings. As with any electronics or safety component, moulding precision and stability are paramount. The need to enhance precision and eradicate component defects is prompting more moulders in the automotive supply chain to switch to all-electric machines.
Dynamic, precise and energy-saving, the newest IntElect series features direct servo drives, enabling improved repeatability and shorter cycle times. Ranging from 220 to 500 tonnes, the big tie bar spacing, increase in mould height and opening stroke mean that the new IntElect models can accommodate larger moulds. The result is a less energy- intensive machine for automotive applications that would previously have required a bigger tonnage.
The IntElect’s optimised clamp force is a
result of an innovative double-centre press plate. Designed in-house by Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, it ensures equal surface pressure distribution. Units can be modifi ed with a larger screw geometry and non-return valve (activeLock) to achieve higher repeatability and precision.
CONTACT:
Sumitomo (SHI) Demag
http://uk.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu
automationmagazine.co.uk
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