Page 13 - MFi Vol.152 ATZ Extra Issue 2019

<editorial>

“As a materials manufacturer with a producing them in prescribed as a springboard for discussion. We
wealth of experience, we would like to shapes.” would like customers to consider if our
make approaches to customers (Yasuhiro Hosomi, Deputy Head of the products meet their needs for
regarding our greater involvement in R&D Center) manufacturing vehicles and let us hear
the manufacture of vehicles in the all their requests.”
future. One example would be use of The Innovation Area also displays a (Kazuhisa Shibue, Chief Executive,
our coating technology to solve the battery housing which joins hollow R&D Division)
issue of electrolytic corrosion extruded members with a coolant flow
resulting from the use of channel using FSW (friction-stir Aluminum also plays an important role
multi-materials. Another would be to welding) technology. as a material for the lithium-ion
suggest solutions for surface batteries which are widely used for
treatment, putting parts together, and “The many samples on display serve peripheral materials, including the
electrode foil for current collectors, case
materials, bus bar materials, and tab
terminal lead materials. Batteries always
generate heat as a result of being
charged and discharged, so a heat
management system to keep the
temperature constant is extremely
important.
“It’s essential to address thermal
management. We want to suggest Motor Fan illustrated
customer-friendly solutions by
combining the technologies that we
have accumulated over the years.”
(Yasuhiro Hosomi, Deputy Head of the
R&D Center)

As the demand increases to make ALUMINUM AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY
automobile lighter for the sake of
reducing CO2 emissions, the
The open innovation-oriented automobile technology
corner provides a wide space for the display of items development of technology using
such as bonnet hoods, bumper reinforcements, and aluminum is in progress. I could see a
front doors. At the center is a prototype battery wide variety of possibilities for
housing for power train electrification.
aluminum materials through the
technologies exhibited in the Innovation 13
Area. Behind the technological
developments that play a core role as the
driving force for manufacturing vehicles
is the engineering spirit cultivated by
the UACJ R&D Center.

UACJ Director and Senior
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Executive, R&D
Division

Kazuhisa Shibue

UACJ Executive Officer
Vice Chief Executive
Research & Development
Division
Head of the North America
R&D Center

The R&D Center after renewal. Aluminum honeycomb panels are used for the exterior. Yasuhiro Hosomi