Page 2 - ATZ extra
P. 2

EDITORIAL






                    The industry



                    faces challenges








                    Dear Reader,                     conventional joining methods such as
                                                     riveting, screwing and welding, UACJ
                    Throughout the world today, the   has also been perfecting various
                    automotive industry is required to   advanced processes, including
                    comply with legislation regarding   Mechanical Clinching, Friction Stir
                    increasingly strict emissions standards.   Welding (FSW) and Friction Stir Spot
                    In particular, the prescribed limits for   Welding (FSSW). These superior
                    CO2 emissions have become a major   technologies have made it possible to
                    issue for automobile designers.   achieve extremely strong joints without
                    Moreover, electric mobility in all its   the use of rivets. The UACJ R&D team
                    facets is presenting a challenge for   is also working on processes to create
                    achieving vehicle weight reductions.  secure joints between different
                    Solutions are being sought not only in   materials, such as aluminium and
                    improving engine and exhaust systems,   steel or aluminium and resin.
                    but also in enhancing lightweight
                    design. In this context, aluminium is   As a result of these research efforts,
                    seen as a progressive means of reducing   aluminium alloys are now playing a
                    vehicle weight, while meeting all safety   key role in reducing the weight of both
                    requirements.  The percentage of   vehicle bodies and chassis structures.
                    aluminium rolled products used in   This is why luxury SUVs such as the
                    vehicle construction has been steadily   Q7, the luxury AUDI SUV, now feature
                    increasing in recent years.      a frame construction of extruded
                                                     aluminium components.
                    An important factor behind this
                    advance is that aluminium producers,
                    such as Tokyo-based UACJ Corporation,
                    have succeeded in developing advanced
                    aluminium alloys and introducing   Markus Bereszewski
                    highly efficient processing technology.   Chief Editor
                    UACJ can now boast the world’s third
                    largest production capacity after
                    Arconic and Novelis. Its nearly 300
                    expert R&D engineers are focusing on
                    the technical development of
                    aluminium alloy products for vehicle
                    weight reduction.

                    Another very important aspect of the
                    trend is the technology used for joining
                    aluminium components. In addition to




                    Imprint: Special 2017 in cooperation with: UACJ Corporation  Geschäftsführer: Stefanie Burgmaier I Joachim Krieger I Juliane Ritt
                    Headquarters: Tokyo Sankei Bldg.,1-7-2 Otemachi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan;  Projektmanagement: Melanie Malsch-Kranz
                    Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, Postfach 1546, 65173 Wiesbaden,  Verkaufsleitung: verantwortlich für den Anzeigenteil Volker Hesedenz
                    Amtsgericht Wiesbaden, HRB 9754, USt-ldNr. DE81148419  Druck: PRINT PRODUKTION-SERVICE, W. Hiese GmbH, Tilsiter Weg 9, 61273 Wehrheim
                                                                 Titelbild: © UACJ
   1   2   3   4