Page 5 - ATZ11 November 2019 Professional

dles in terms of forming and configuration WOULD BE USE OF OUR COATING
retention. Furthermore, development of TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE
molding technology was required because OF ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION
European manufacturers, who are aggres- RESULTING FROM THE USE OF
sively promoting the use of aluminium, MULTI-MATERIALS. ANOTHER
often carry out five or six press processes, WOULD BE TO SUGGEST
whereas Japanese manufacturers tend to SOLUTIONS FOR SURFACE
use just four. TREATMENT, PUTTING PARTS
TOGETHER, AND PRODUCING THEM Body Panels
IN PRESCRIBED SHAPES.”
“CAPITALIZING ON OUR
STRENGTHS AS A MANUFACTURER (Yasuhiro HOSOMI,
SPECIALIZING IN ALUMINIUM Deputy Head of the R&D Center)
ROLLED PRODUCTS, OUR AIM IS TO
The Innovation Area also displays a bat-
DEVELOP ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
tery housing which joins hollow extruded
WHICH ARE AS EASY TO USE AS
members with a coolant flow channel
STEEL AND CARRY OUT
using FSW (friction-stir welding)
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
technology.
IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER TO Friction stir welding
SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS’
VEHICLE PRODUCTION.” “THE MANY SAMPLES ON DISPLAY
SERVE AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR
(Kazuhisa SHIBUE,
DISCUSSI ON. WE WOULD LIKE
Chief Executive, R&D Division)
CUSTOMERS TO CONSIDER IF OUR
PRODUCTS MEET THEIR NEEDS
As for aluminium alloy extrusions, in
FOR MANUFACTURING VEHICLES
addition to their light weight and high
AND LET US HEAR ALL THEIR
rigidity, they have attracted attention for
REQUESTS.”
their shock absorption characteristics, and
EV battery cooling system
their use has been expanded to bumpers (Kazuhisa SHIBUE,
and chassis members. Bumper reinforce- Chief Executive, R&D Division)
ment ASSY is a typical example of this.
The Center designs members, including Aluminium also plays an important role “IT’S ESSENTIAL TO ADDRESS
bumper beams and crash boxes, with an as a material for the lithium-ion batteries THERMAL MANAGEMENT. WE WANT
optimal cross-sectional shape using CAE which are widely used for peripheral TO SUGGEST CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY
analysis technology. materials, including the electrode foil for SOLUTIONS BY COMBINING THE
It also gets involved in development current collectors, case materials, bus bar TECHNOLOGIES THAT WE HAVE
from the viewpoint of a materials manu- materials, and tab terminal lead materials. ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS.”
facturer, thereby contributing to the cre- Batteries always generate heat as a result
(Yasuhiro HOSOMI,
ation of finished products. of being charged and discharged, so a
Deputy Head of the R&D Center)
With its high heat conductivity and thermal management to keep the tempera-
radiation performance, and good corro- ture constant is extremely important.
sion resistance, aluminium is used for
most of the heat exchangers of air condi-
tioners, radiators, etc.
UACJ has accumulated extensive
knowhow for the development of mem-
bers for heat exchangers, flux-free braz-
ing, and surface treatment technology
such as pre-coating.

“AS A MATERIALS MANUFACTURER
WITH A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE,
WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE
APPROACHES TO CUSTOMERS
REGARDING OUR GREATER
INVOLVEMENT IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF VEHICLES IN
THE FUTURE. ONE EXAMPLE

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