A vehicle frame forms the basis of an automobile which, known as the chassis, this frame supports the sub-assemblies and other components of the car. The chassis also provides stability to the car from the variety of forces and impacts that it has to sustain throughout its life. The construction of the frame is of a uni-body type in the case of passenger cars and most commercial vehicles, such as trucks, are produced with a body-on-frame construction.
Choosing sustainable products and materials
The increasing availability of product environmental information provides an opportunity for consumers to choose more sustainable products and for designers to be rewarded for selecting more sustainable materials. Here are some tips on how to do this.
Euro 6 standards are changing the automotive industry
In an effort to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the whole of Europe, it is now mandatory for all new cars sold within the EU to meet Euro 6 standards for exhaust emissions, no matter where they are manufactured. NOx and other pollutants are monitored and recorded from every manufactured vehicle.
Multitasking materials in construction & architecture
Installations of materials are often a practically invisible part of a building. Miles of cables, piping, tubes and wires are concealed behind the ceilings, floors, walls and foundations. The facilities themselves are tucked behind voids or form unsightly blemishes on rooftops.
Performance, weight & costs of aluminum vs high strength steel in automotive
Building cars can be an expensive industry and while we know that buying a new car can be quite expensive on its own, the automaker is also responsible for a fair amount of the upfront costs as well. Whilst steel prices fluctuate, in general they go up and OEM’s continue to squeeze their supply chain.
Design & Advanced Material-Driver of Innovation
In recent years, advanced materials have emerged and significantly impacted the products around us and their design. Coming from science and technology, advanced materials can outperform traditional materials as they can be tougher, withstand higher temperatures, and be tailored into new shapes.
How Pressings are Replacing Forgings and Castings
The automotive industry is continuously changing. One of the most significant new focuses is reducing the weight of materials used in the construction of vehicles. Pressings are produced by stamping, and this method replaces some of the manufacturing methods from the past.
Biomimetics – a tool for development of new materials
Biomimetics is on everyone’s lips and it is now difficult to imagine a future where it does not play a key role in the development of our society. The development of new materials is not unconcerned with this new discipline, though we must be aware of what we can obtain (and what we cannot) from imitating nature.
Are Hybrid and Electric Vehicles the Future?
Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are offering a fair argument that they could be the future of travel. As well as the ability to reduce carbon emissions by running on zero emissions, imagine how convenient it would be to fill up just once a month or plug in your vehicle at night to recharge and go.
Materials and Manufacturing Education
Materials and manufacturing processes remains an essential component of industrial design education. But for many students and young designers, they are still unsure of their comfort with these complex issues and how they affect their designs.