Month Wise: Issue Wise March-2010 February-2010 January-2010 December-2009 November-2009 October-2009 September-2009 August-2009 July-2009 June-2009 May-2009 April-2009 March-2009 January-2009 December-2008 November-2008 October-2008 September-2008 August-2008 July-2008 June-2008 May-2008 April-2008 March-2008 February-2008 January-2008 December-2007 November-2007 October-2007 September-2007 August-2007 July-2007 June-2007 May-2007 April-2007 March-2007 February-2007 January-2007 December-2006 October-2006 September-2006 August-2006 July-2006 June-2006 May-2006 April-2006 March-2006 February-2006 January-2006 December-2005 November-2005 October-2005   Electrocoating – a brief introduction       Electrocoating is a method of giving a metal an organic finish by using electrical current to deposit the paint. The process works on the simple principle of Opposites Attract. Flexible Drive technology Overview and information       Target of a flexible shaft is to transmit rotary power or torque. The application of flexible shaft is Mounts for 3-cylinder engines and electric motors       The need to meet tightening emis-sion regulations is pushing automakers towards smaller, more powerful engines. Compact solvent cleaning system       “Focusing on the essentials" – under this motto Dürr Ecoclean introduced the "EcoCBase C2” compact cleaning system for the trade fair, parts2clean. Bosch Chassis Systems India inaugurates technical centre and ABS facility       Bosch Chassis Systems India has commissioned a world class Technical Centre at Chakan, near Pune. The Centre was inaugurated by Gerhard Steiger, President Cummins India’s productivity increases with the DMU 200 P       The crankcases for engines produced at CIL are manufactured on DMG’s 5 axis Universal Machining Center DMU 200 P, supplied by DMG. DMG India, Deckel Maho Pfronten and Cummins “Our strength is in cutting technology”       When was Thermadyne established? What was the intention behind the setting up of this company? New control-unit concept for gaseous-fuel drives       IAV has developed a gaseous-fuel slave control unit that provides the means for upgrading virtually all gasoline concepts to run on gaseous fuels quickly and cost effectively without having to modify the existing engine control unit Rane TRW Steering new facility in Uttarakhand       Rane TRW Steering Systems Limited (RTSSL) has commis-sioned a new power steering plant at Pantnagar in Uttarakhand. Quality testing of paint and metal coatings       Corrosion protection has become a very important part of product quality in recent years. Manufacturing companies and users are more aware of the damage to their products if they do not provide sufficient corrosion protection. Locking differentials from Eaton       After commissioning the commercial vehicle transmission facility at Ranjangaon near Pune, Eaton Corporation is all set to supply the Indian OE and aftermarket with locking differentials. Flexible real-time indication system       Launching IAV-Indicar, IAV (Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr) has added a new indication system to its range of measuring instruments. Maruti records a new high in January 2010       Maruti Suzuki India has recorded its highest monthly sales of 95,649 units for January, a jump of 33.3 per cent over the same month last year. Siemens PLM software used for Ford vehicles       Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Indus-try Automation Division and a leading global provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and services, has announced that its software solutions have been used as important enablers in the development of the award winning Ford Motor Company vehicles. Limited edition BMW Gran Turismo       BMW India debuted the limited edition of the new BMW Gran Turismo in Bengaluru, The BMW Gran Tursimo will be available in the 3.0L diesel variant and is available as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU). Toyota and Honda announce recalls       Toyota Motor Corporation has recalled approximately 2.3 mil-lion vehicles in the US to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota models. This action is separate from the on-going recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. “Localisation is the Key”       We start with a product idea. We look if it makes sense; the price parameters, the dimensions and the volumes. We then analyse the idea and firm up on the technology that goes into it. Stamping simulation cuts number of correction loops in half       With its curved shape in all three axial directions, the side mem-ber is a complex stamping part. Bent flanges add additional stresses to the part and numerous add-on parts demand a high level of accuracy. New ISO specification to help increase reliability of autonomous fee collection systems on road networks       ISO TS 12813:2009, Electronic fee col-lection – Compliance check communi-cation for autonomous systems, would help to ensure the optimal use of on-board equipment (OBE) interfacing with satellite positioning to collect the data required for charging for the use of roads in an autonomous mode, without relying on dedicated road-side infrastructure. Toyota launches the new Prado       Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the new Prado in India. Inheriting the Land Cruiser’s DNA, the redesigned Prado (available in diesel) is targeted at buyers demanding a genuine SUV as well as those who are hooked to passenger cars Liquid elastomer moulding aids fuel cell development       A leading global supplier of powertrain, chassis and safety technologies, Federal-Mogul Corporation has developed an innovative gasket technology to assist in-fuel cell development for energy-efficient vehicles New machines and technology from Minitronix       When, in 1975, Suresh Champhekar, a young engineer then, was inspired to take up an electronic machine design assignment and start his independent manufacturing activity Call of the German logistics       Logistics has become the need of time. Most manufacturers and traders, big or small need the muscle of logistics companies to ferry their goods – to bring in raw material and machinery Tracking cargo fleet       Rising costs is a challenge for fleet op-erators. May it be the time bound operations of a bank, FMCG, pharma or an auto company, the need to reach in time is always the criteria MultiAir engine tech from Fiat       Fiat Powertrain Technologies has been awarded the 2009 edition of the Technobest prize for its brand new Multiair Technology. Described in a nutshell as the ultimate air management strategy Innovative audio solution for Tata Nano       Leading automotive supplier Visteon Corporation is one of the contribu-tors to the Tata Nano. Visteon supplies supplies the audio system that can be outfitted by the dealer Pushing boundaries in battery technology       The Reduced cost Li-Ion (RED-LION) project – a two-year collaboration between QinetiQ and Ricardo with part-funding from the Department for Transport under the UK Energy Saving Dürr Ecoclean Cleaning systems for automotive industry       The quality and operational reliability of automobiles and commercial ve-hicles are fundamentally dependent on the cleanness of their individual components Bending tubes for aircraft carriers       Unison has won an order from BAE Systems Surface Ships for a large tube-bending machine to support ongoing projects, Li-ion starter battery       Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has be-come the first automaker to offer a lithium-ion starter battery. Employing lithium-ion technology, Integrated automation for CNC turning       Automation is fast becoming the way of continuous improvement for manufacturers. What is often referred to as Kaizen for continuous improvement, CANopen compaction sensor for vibratory rollers       The soil compaction plays an impor-tant part for the life of a road or a building, which is constructed on the soil. The best quality for the soil is reached by homogenous compaction. Ducati expands presence in India       Ducati Motor Holding, a leading producer of racing inspired motorcycles, in partnership with Precision Motor India has announced the opening of its second dealership in Gurgaon near Delhi Friction technology for ZF 8-speed auto transmission       BorgWarner has been selected to supply its friction materials and plates for the new ZF 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP), debuting on the 2010 BMW 760i. eGearDrive for EVs       To drive the all-electric CODA sedan, scheduled for introduction in California in 2010, the eGearDrive transmission technology from BorgWarner has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2010 Automotive News PACE Awards TACO Group supplies to Tata Indigo Manza       Sloted in the entry-level mid-size seg-ment, the Tata Indigo Manza replaces the Indigo sedan based on the Indica platform. The Indigo Manza too shares the platform with the new, Indica Vista FCI AK2+ ESD Breakthrough in airbag connector technology       FCI MVL (Motorised Vehicle Division) has delivered another significant breakthrough in the development of more cost effective and reliable connectors for automotive airbags and other safety restraint systems (SRS). Focusing on affordable cars       Demand for smaller, low-cost cars is rising, not just in Asia and Latin America but increasingly in established industrialised nations also. A sign of the global automotive market changing rapidly within the next six years Lighter passenger car chassis       Weight reduction of chassis is pos-sible. It, in fact, makes a good subject for weight reduction. And this is where it particularly makes a lot of sense. If the chassis weight is reduced, lower engine power suffices to attain the same performance as a car with a conventional chassis Triple air core gauge driver lowers costs       Melexis has launched the new MLX10420, a triple air core gauge driver with serial interface, at automotive and industrial applications... CANopen for elevating work platforms       There is a trend of elevated work plat-forms in mobile applications and vehicle-based systems with the use of electro-hydraulic control systems with CAN interface and CANopen communication... Trucks and light commercial vehicles Progress in research & manufacturing in France       The commercial goods vehicles sec-tor has changed beyond recognition in recent years: today, GPS satellite navigation, mobile phones and the internet all help to track fleets in real time... Fuel cell system cuts size, weight and cost       The Bochum University of Applied Sciences (Germany) has recently presented a new solar car, the "BOcruiser". A team of around 30 engineering students has displayed a new concept... Advanced powertrain and vehicle electrification technologies at Delphi       A vehicle on an average emits 154g of CO2 per km of travel as of today. By 2020, automakers will be required to meet the European Commission CO2 fleet-average target of 95g/km... New measurement system       Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr (IAV), a provider of en-gineering services to the automotive industry, has developed a new measuring instrument for evaluating and optimizing the starting behavior of engines. The compact "starting measurement tool" is a very fast Nissan Leaf promotes electric car cause       Nissan Motor Co has unveiled the Leaf, an electric zero-emission car, which accoring to Nissan sources, is affordable. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis. Consortium to evaluate lubricant challenges of future low carbon engine technologies       With the environmental demand to reduce CO2 emissions and take vehicle fuel economy to new levels, significant innovations in lubricants will be needed to enable implementation of many very promising low friction and high efficiency engine Driving on solar energy       The Bochum University of Applied Sciences (Germany) has recently presented a new solar car, the "BOcruiser". A team of around 30 engineering students has displayed a new concept: This latest solar car drives on four wheels rather than three, as was the case for the predecessor "Solar World No. 1". Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communication       Within the framework of a comprehensive pan-European research project called Safespot, research is now being conducted into how cars and trucks can communicate with one another and how infrastructure can be developed in what is known as a cooperative system for increased traffic safety. New sensors for modern turbochargers       Geramny-based Beru AG has developed distance sensors for modern turbochargers. The Ludwigsburg-based automotive supplier, which recently acquired leading edge ignition technology from EtaTech Inc. Advanced battery technology for electric driving       With its re3 concept car, Johnson Controls has showcasing its innovative battery technology and novel packaging idea for storing energy. 96 lithium-ion cells are uniquely packaged between the front seats in the tunnel console of the vehicle. Head-up display with projected image       In an interesting development, systems supplier, Johnson Con-trols has developed a head-up display with projected image for the Peugeot 5008 and the Peugeot 3008 model range. Green Button concept       TRW Automotive demonstrated a number of ways in which it is sup-porting vehicle manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption and emissions - beyond powertrain solutions. In addition to developing fuel efficient steering, Fuel-efficient steering system       Automotive systems supplier, TRW Automotive has bagged the order to supply Daimler AG with a newly enhanced Motor Pump Unit as part of the Electrically Powered Hydraulic Steering system (EPHS) on selected new Mercedes-Benz models. BMW opens new showroom in West Delhi       BMW India inaugurated a new showroom and workshop facil-ity in West Delhi recently. Located on Shivaji Marg, Moti Nagar, this is the second facility in New Delhi from Deutsche Motoren Euro India Transportation Systems to hold largest Indo-European event       Aimed at the CEOs and decision-makers of major companies and of SMEs/SMIs who wish to initiate a targeted and qualitative development of their activities in the Indian and the European markets, EITS (Euro India Transportation Systems), Proactive maintenance reduces downtime and costs       In the manufacturing industry, over a quarter of the total cost of finished goods can be attributed to maintenance costs. Maintenance typically contributes to more than 25 per cent of the total cost of finished goods Ferrari's new 458 Italia       To be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show (2009), the 458 Italia from Ferrari is a blue-blooded super car that affirms to the Italian automakers rich tradition and history Double clutch transmission control unit for Porsche Panamera       The Porsche Panamera is a four-door, four-seat luxury sedan. Unveiled at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, the Panamera is Porsche's first four-door car that could have the exotic Maserati Quattroporte for company Fast & flexible Ethernet networks from Rockwell Automation       Rockwell Automation has embedded Ethernet Device Level Ring (DLR) technology into its integrated architecture system for high-speed, high-performance applications needing resilient networks, and for machine builders looking for flexible Protos to production machines       Custom-built motorbikes is a old phe-nomenon. It is about individuality and an extension of one's personality. Ask Akshai Varde, whose Mumbai-based company specialises in the making of custom-built motorcycles, and he says, “It is total customisation”. Iron and nickel-based alloy metal foam       High temperature and corrosion re-sistance, coupled with a very good soot storage capacity, are among the basic requirements of an effective substrate for diesel particulate filters. High-temperature materials for turbochargers       Car manufacturers are constantly working to improve their engines. As a result, the demands on the materials used are also growing. With exhaust gas temperatures in new engine generations rising in part to over 1,000 degrees Celsius Annual SIAM Convention       Against he backdrop of encouraging news from the IMF on global recession being on its way out, the 49th Annual SIAM Convention was held recently in Delhi Special turbo geometry for Audi TT motor       Audi recently presented the TT with a new, turbocharged five-cylinder in-line engine that sets new standards in terms of performance and driving pleasure LED light control units       After the xenon reflector lamp, light emitting diodes (LED) are making inroads into the field of headlights. In the future, LED lamps will enable light systems that are more variable for greater vision and safety. Moving on braking power       Eaton is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components. A success story       Bimal Auto Agency, a leading Indian automotive dealership of Maruti Suzuki in Bangalore, faced the challenge of con-verting their website into a lead generating powerhouse Yamaha inaugurates new plant, launches all new Fazer       Yamaha (India) has introduced an all- new Fazer motorbike in India. Add-ing to the FZ portfolio of successful bikes, which include the FZ16 and FZ-S, the new Fazer gets its DNA from the global Fazer series QUICKFINDER–I Locating it quickly       In the rapidly advancing scenario of tele-communication convergence, the next generation telecom services are providing the Power to ‘Know’ coupled with real time Business predictions. Volvo FH16 employs components from ContiTech       The Volvo FH16 is a vehicle of su-perlatives. One of the most powerful and highly respected trucks around the world, the Volvo FH16 produces 3150 Nm of torque and 700 hp of power Sixth generation Golf employs ContiTech technology       The Golf GTI has been sold more than 1.7 million times since it debuted in 1976. Continental''s rubber technology was on board already in the first design. In the sixth generation Kinematic hardening model from AutoForm       In order to further improve springback simulation results, AutoForm has devel-oped a new material model. This model enables the accurate description of material behavior at unloading, New paint system reduces environmental impact       Mazda Motor Corporation has suc-cessfully developed an Aqua-tech paint system, which reduces environmental impact. Employed for vehicle body painting at its Ujina Plant No.1 in Japan, New black box to help investigate better       With more and more companies seeking to investigate accidents involving automobiles produced by them, the use of black boxes is on the rise Virtual instrument cluster on 2010 Range Rover       Instrument clusters are the driver''s interface with the machine he is driving. They are an important indicator of the vehicle''s health and position Sensor cluster with yaw rate & acceleration sensors       In what is regarded as the world''s first, Continental has integrated the yaw rate and acceleration sensors required in particular for Electronic Stability Control (ESC) into a single central component Greater safety, less noise       The subject of pedestrian safety plays an increasingly important role for carmakers. Various types of acoustic covers, designed by Woco recently, and made of flexible Scania hybrid buses for Stockholm       To further improve the environment in the Swedish capital, Scania has started full-scale operational trials with six ethanol-fuelled hybrid buses USB hub controller and card reader for automobiles       SMSC, a leading semiconductor com-pany that provides smart mixed-signal connectivity solutions, has developed the USB82640 and USB82660 single-chip Automated bumper recycling       Mazda Motor Corporation has de-veloped a world-first recycling technology which enhances the process it uses to recycle used bumpers from vehicles, whose useful life has ended, into raw plastic resin for use in new vehicle bumpers New pulse count HVAC control       Visteon Corporation, a leading supplier of a full range of cockpit electronic products for vehicles, has developed a second-generation pulse count system for automotive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls Next generation of thermodynamic engine simulation software       Tesis Dynaware and IAV Automotive Engineering have come up with the second generation of thermodynamic real-time simulation software Dyna 4 Engine Themos Dürr’s EcoDryScrubber to be utilised for the first time in auto production       For many years Dürr has systematically promoted ecological and sustainable solutions for large volume paint finishing. EcoDryScrubber is the most recent example. Jaguar & Land Rover roll into India       Iconic British automotive brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, have entered India. Group companies of Tata Motors after it acquired them in June 2008 for US$ 2.5 billion, the entry of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) into India is seen as a significant move towards penetrating new, fast growing markets, especially when the US and European markets are witnessing one of the worst slow downs in the recent times. Momentive inaugurates manufacturing facility       Speciality materials company, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., inaugurated a manufacturing facility in Chennai early this month, taking the number of its production plants to 27 globally. Construction of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and application development centre (ADC) started in June 2007. Dow Corning shifts Xiameter to top gear       Dow Corning is passionately intent on giving a big boost to its sales drive on silicones through its unique portal, www.xiameter.com. For kick starting Mission Xiameter, it was none other than Jean-Paul Mollie, President, Middle East, S Asia & Africa, Dow Corning, who addressed a knot of media persons in Mumbai recently. German technology solutions to improve productivity       Machine tool slideways made of metallic material (typi-cally, cast Iron, Steel or Bronze) show an undesirable tendency to seize under high loads and speed as well as on areas of continuation caused by grinding dust, chips or under dry running conditions. S S Natu Plastics & Metals       At a time when Chinese industries are making a scramble for the Indian market with their cheap products, few Indian companies dare to set up shop there. But S S Natu Plastics & Metals Pvt Ltd, a 100% export-oriented unit manufacturing brushless motors, is an exception. Mr. D A Vanjani, Chief Executive Office of the company, is the brain behind this move. Oerlikon Graziano develops transmission for full electric city car       Oerlikon Graziano, part of the Oerlikon Drive Systems Seg-ment, has developed a new generation of electric gearboxes for electric city cars, starting a relationship with Th!nk (Norway) for whom it designed, developed and put into production the electric gearbox with a two-stage reduction. Innovative fan-in LED head lamp       Advanced LED chips with increased light output can now be used for automotive headlamps. Because of their long service life and compact size, LED lamps have become an attractive alternative to gas discharge lamps. Harman concept on Intel technology       Harman Becker Automotive Systems, the Automotive Division of Harman International, has announced a co-operation agreement with Intel on energy-efficient infotainment solutions. The company, which presented the first series-ready concept car at CeBit recently, has engineered the concept (revolutionary car-infotainment system) around the new Intel Atom processor Z520PT. Racing Kit parts from Yamaha       Having revolutionised the biking scene in the coun-try and fulfilling the racing aspirations of Indian bikers with models like the YZF-R15 and FZ series, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. now brings another international trend to the Indian market with the launch of all exclusive Racing kit parts by DAYTONA for its customers. Cost-optimised central body control units       As the need for complex functions and an simple machine-human inferface gain force, the need for cost optimised solutions become a necessity. Continental has developed cost-optimised body control units for all car segments. The Basic Function Controller (BFC), presented by Continental in 2008 is not the only one anymore. Revolutionary direct acting common rail system       Delphi was given the "Best Technological Innovation in the Automobile Sector" award during the 2009 Barcelona International Motor Show for its direct acting common rail system Delphi Diesel Systems' new Direct Acting Common Rail Injection System won the top award in the "Systems and Components" category in the event organized by the Sociedad de Técnicos de Automoción (STA) and the Show at Barcelona, Spain. Flexible and scalable in-car entertainment systems       Targeting the fast changing world of consumer electronics, Visteon Corporation’s next generation in-car entertainment systems offers vehicle manufacturers a fast and flexible route to introduce the latest consumer technology in their vehicles. Innovative plastics aid functionality       As complexities and features of vehicles rise, automotive engineers and designers are left struggling with the prospect of achieving more for a given size. In fact, most electrical/electronic part designers are grappling to shoehorn more functionality into ever-smaller spaces and reduce system costs. Innovative radiator tank       A radiator is a must for a automobile with a water-cooled engine. The work of the radiator essentially involves the exchange of heat. Hot water circulating through the cooling circuit cools down after it comes in contact with air as it flows through the radiator tubes. ZF and Continental to co-operate on CV hybrid drive       ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Continental have concluded an agreement on the co-operation in the fields of the development and production of commercial vehicle hybrid drives. To this end, ZF, as the systems supplier, is in charge of the system integration for the hybrid system; the latter is made up by a parallel hybrid transmission by ZF, a lithium-ion battery accumulator, and system electronics by Continental. Ultrasound sensors look promising       The one hundred millionth ultrasound sensor has rolled off the production lines at Bosch. It gives the vehicle its "sense of touch," allowing it to register its surroundings. The success story of these ultrasound sensors began in 1993, when Ford offered a reverse parking aid in its Scorpio. Its obstacle warning function met with great interest among drivers. Body builders       Robot participation in the manufac-turing world is at its most visible in the automotive industry. Robots make the entire process look very simple as, with unerring accuracy, they repeat the same procedures over and over again. Behind the simplest lift-and-place movement, however, lies a remarkable amount of technology. GM and Segway join forces to reinvent urban transportation       Electrical propulsion systems are the focus of attention at most automakers currently. With hydrogen systems far from being practical, the new breakthroughs in electrical and electronic technologies is attracting automakers towards the idea of a highly capable electric autos. The latest is the coming together of Segway and GM to develop a new type of electric vehicle. Innovative driver information system powers autos       The Bosch Car Multimedia division has developed an innovative driver infor-mation system for automotive markets to meet a wide variety of different demands and to offer outstanding driving convenience and clearly structured operating menus for intuitive use. Scalable safety technologies provide improved road safety       German automotive supplier, Conti-nental is emphasizing on scalable safety technologies that provide improved road safety. Scalable safety technology interlink safety relevant components and functions to contribute towards further reductions in the number of accidents and the injuries. New energy absorbers for improved pedestrian safety       Small cars or A-segment cars, also known as city cars, are growing in popularity due to their fuel-sipping benefits. But the very small size of these vehicles poses challenges to designers. When designers of the Hyundai i10 were given the responsibility to create an energy absorber (EA) that would meet stringent European safety regulations for pedestrian lower leg impact Burr-free, dust-free BMC throttle housings       There are two reasons why the automotive industry is constantly looking for alternative raw materials. One is that they are faced with demands for more fuel-efficient cars that produce fewer emissions. The other is the increasing cost pressures. Pirouettes, sandwich plates that turn       Sandwich plates are often used as a base for measuring fixtures and structures. However, they are increasingly being used as a means of transport between measuring center and assembly area. For simple moving of sandwich plates loaded with large fixtures and work pieces hovercraft is in use in many plants. Lotus develops a flex fuel engine       Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited, unveils its latest research into engine efficiency at the 79th International Geneva Motor Show. The Omnivore engine concept has the potential to significantly increase fuel efficiency for sustainable alcohol based fuels, which increases the prospect of a greater amount of vehicle miles travelled using renewable fuels. GKN Driveline for Jaguar XKR and XFR       Jaguar unveiled the new 503hp (5-litre, V8) XKR and XFR at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The cars are fitted with a new active differential control systems (ADC) for the first time. At the heart of Jaguar's ADC system is GKN Driveline's ETM electronic limited slip differential (eLSD). Future of hydrogen automobile       Ethanol and bio-fuels are promising. Mercedes-Benz in India has been experimenting with bio-diesel derived from Jatropha plants for almost a decade now. As a fuel, the Jatropha plant derived bio-diesel is usable but what is not is the cost of arriving at a litre of this fuel. It costs upwards of Rs 100 to make a litre of bio-diesel, I was told during the Mercedes-Benz diesel drive last year. Chrysler and Fiat announce strategic alliance       Chrysler LLC has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat SpA to form a vibrant new company. Expected to allow Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimise their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets, the Fiat powertrains and components will also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. Chrysler initiated discussions with Fiat more than a year ago to develop plans for a global product alliance. Raising efficiency and quality       Hardly any other industry demands as high a level of cleanliness of components as the automotive industry does. Meanwhile cost pressure is increasing. Thus the challenge for the automotive sector and its suppliers, now more than ever, is to make maximum use of optimisation potential for the cleaning of parts, as a step in the production process Polyamide reinforcement beam for truck radiator grilles       Rhodia and Inoplast have broken new ground by creating the first polyamide reinforcement beam for truck radiator grilles. This project, which has gone into production on a well-known range of trucks, is aimed at reducing costs and overall vehicle weight, without interfering with the function of this key “We are a Solutions Provider”       Constant improvement in machine performance over recent years is accompanied with increased in impact power in the field of forming. This result in increase in vibrations transmitted to ambience surroundings, which increased speeds and feed in the field of metal cutting. Accordingly, the reduction Digital printing takes off       From neatly etched visiting cards in plastic materials to giant-sized hoard-ings on the corners of roads in cities, digital printing is making an indelible impression in India thanks to sophisticated technologies, mostly imported into the country. From large-width printers from giants like HP to ink-providers hailing from the neighbourhoods of Taiwan and China, a new revolution in digital printing is sweeping across the country. ‘Quick Service’ at Harpreet Ford       Ford India has announced a unique process of vehicle servicing called Quick Service station. Inaugurated at Harpreet Ford in Gurgaon recently by Dan Moriss, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, along with Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India, the Quick Service initiative, allows Ford dealers in India to service the vehicle and hand it over to the customer in just an hour or so. Cyronics Instruments Solutions to enhance safety and comfort       When, in 1990, electronics engineer Nitin Bhonge first thought of establishing a partnership firm to devise electronic solutions for automobiles, the market for cars was rather restricted. There were just a few models and most of them adhered to a specific list of norms and guidelines. Kuka robots in aerospace applications       Until 1996, Fokker was the only Dutch manufacturer of commer-cial, civilian airplanes. In 1996, the company was taken over by Stork. As part of Stork Aerospace, Stork Fokker AESP B.V. is now a leading supplier of structures and systems to renowned aircraft manufacturers. Stork has a worldwide workforce of approximately 12,000. Of these, 3,271 work in the field of aviation, i.e. at Stork Aerospace. The Papendrecht plant in the Netherlands has a workforce of 850. BASF plastics for Tata Nano       BASF is supplying Tata Motors with products and engineering solutions for its new small car, Nano. The products, which are essentially supplied by BASF clients help to reduce emissions, enhance fuel efficiency and improve the car’s overall aesthetic look. BASF Catalysts has developed a catalytic converter for the Nano to meet India’s current emission standards. Accelerometers for sled testing       The word ‘catapult’ is an integral part of the vocabulary of today’s crash test professionals. Originating around 400 BC from a Greek belly-supported crossbow device called a Gastraphetes (Figure 1), the catapult evolved into a variety of larger stand-alone machines capable of throwing large stones and dead animals over castle walls. Definition & Types       A hot runner system is an externally heated device incorporated in plas-tic injection moulds to replace the conventional flow channels called sprue, runners and sub runners. “The first engine valve available in the Indian market was launched by Rane”       In the late 1950s, Indian Industrial Policy was to encourage manufacture of automobiles and parts in India through issue of Licenses. Rane, which had been in the business of importing, selling and servicing vehicles till then, started with engine valves in 1959. Later, we added other products. India Yamaha Motor March sales up by 45.3 %       India Yamaha Motor has registered an impressive growth of 45.3 % in sales during March 2009 as compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 14558 units in March 2009 as against 10022 units sold in March last year. “The challenge is to keep evolving and upgrading our products to beat pollution directives”       Ronuk Group was established in 1953 by my late grandfather, Ramniklal A Shah. He was the pioneer in the metal finishing and electroplating industry in India. S Doshi Papers Industries develops roof insulation system       S Doshi Papers Industries has intrdouced a new roof insulation system. Coming from a company that specialises in insulation foam and tapes, many of which are consumed by the bus and coach building industry, in addition to special applications like NVH, thermal and acoustic insulations in automobiles, the new roof insulation system is a compsite product specially designed for universal fitment for all types of passenger vehicles. New generation of sensors replaces analogue technology       Analogue vehicle sensors can be re-placed easily and economically with modern digital solutions. The basis is the new SENT protocol for data transmission in cars. Hella has developed a new generation of sensors with contactless measurement for this. Improving worker safety and system flexibility       To help tyre, metal and paper manu-facturers better protect employees while maintaining productivity, Rockwell Automation has introduced the Allen-Bradley Wind-up and Let-off safety solution, a preconfigured safety control solution that helps meet global safety standards. The need for safety in this area is well established. Weld India Expo 2009 A display of technology       Welding plays an important role in the automobile industry. And just as the modern automobile has evolved into a sophisticated marvel of technology, so have the welding processes and methods of application. While automobile manufacturers are striving to make the vehicles lighter and stronger by using thinner materials, the designs also have to factor in the overall strength for better crash resistance. Hose solution reduces OEM costs       In today’s automotive market, constant innovation is required to keep pace with competition and maintain an edge in the market. The combined forces of increased engine temperature demands, more stringent emissions standards and low-cost competitors force original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to work closely with suppliers to reduce costs and increase performance. Tata Motors shows the Nano Europa at Geneva       Tata Motors presented the Tata Nano Europa at the 79th Geneva Motor Show. Intended for a future launch in select international markets, the Nano Europa, with a length of 3.29 metres and width of 1.58 metres, is highly compact yet spacious inside. Structured on a slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28m, the car is highly manoeuvrable. Small, light ABS for motorcycles       Anti-lock braking, or ABS as it is commonly referred to, is well known among passenger car buyers as a safety gadget that prevents wheel lock-up under heavy braking thus preventing loss of contact. In two-wheelers, ABS is not as well known. Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO       The recent Detroit Auto Show played host to Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZero as an indicator to the way ahead in environmentally responsible electromobility. Based on a single vehicle architecture, this intelligent, modular concept allows three models with different drive configurations, all of which are able to meet customer requirements in terms of sustainable mobility. Smaller air-con unit for compact cars       Small cars are in. The need for effi-cient cars that have a considerably smaller carbon footprint has shifted the focus to small cars once again. Leading automakers like Toyota are looking at small cars like never before. It introduced the iQ small car as a concept city car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Ford F-150 lamp bezels by SABIC plastics       Contemporary automotive design has seen the growing importance of the lamp bezel as a key styling feature. Irrespective of the demand being for metallic, textured or body-color bezel, SABIC Innovative Plastics broad portfolio of special effects resins offers an expanding selection of materials to help designs stand out from the competition. Automation IT: new switching technology provides access to the field level       The goal of Automation IT is to create an Ethernet communications platform for the full range of applications in a convergent industrial network. The Harting Technology Group is integrating Ethernet automation protocols into the Automation IT communications platform. The company presented a revolutionary switching technology at SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2008 in Nuremberg. "Making drilling reliable, our drills have come to be known in the market for their high tool life."       Komet started operatons in India in 1998 as a liaison office. In the year 2001, Komet (India) was established as a wholly owned subsidiary in India to cater to the Indian market. Being the first subsidiary of Komet to be established outside Europe, Komet India's task involves providing high precision tooling and support to the Indian metal working sector and be closer to its customers. S. Ravishankar, Managing Director, Komet Precision Tools India talks to Automotive Products Finder. Honda Insight Concept       Honda revealed a concept version of its new small hybrid vehicle, named Insight, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The new Insight concept shares styling cues with the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle and provides an early look at the highly anticipated five-passenger hybrid vehicle. New technology promises fuel-efficient automated transmissions       As a part of its ambitious programme of automotive transmission concept development, Ricardo recently unveiled a research prototype vehicle that would demonstrate the company's patent pending electromagnetic linear actuation technology. IFR Automotive highlights weight saving initiatives       Spain-based IFR Automotive is a de-sign and technology company. At last year British International Motor Show, it unveiled a concept car called Aspid, which reflects a a wealth of weight, fuel and CO2 saving technical innovations running throughout the chassis, suspension, brakes and electrical systems. Big time savings from 2/4-stroke engine       The 2/4-stroke gasoline engine con-cept is an interesting construction that could lead to greater fuel savings. It uses a direct injection gasoline combustion system in which the design of intake and exhaust ports, combined with appropriate changes in boost supply, fuel injection, ignition and valve timing, enable operation both in two-stroke and four-stroke modes. Beru tyre safety system in new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione       The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione represents a synthesis of the ele-ments that differentiate Alfa Romeos from others: technology and excitement. The 8C is the symbol of the legendary 8-cylinder racing cars of the 1930s and 1940s. Competizione is a reference to the 6C 2500 Competizione model driven by Fangio and Zanardi at the famous Mille Miglia races in 1950. Ice detectors from Continental       Cold winters can be dangerous. Regular commuters and night-time drivers are particularly at risk because ice hazards may lie in wait for them anywhere in winter, particularly first thing in the morning. But a glance at the outside temperature gauge can help to keep them safe. Sophisticated handling system for Lancia Delta       Delta is an important car for Lancia. It is a historical name that repre-sents one of the pinnacles of Lancia's motoring history, but also a mathematical symbol that stands for change, progress. Delta is a universal measure of difference, a striving toward excellence by exceeding a previous limit. In the area of dynamics, Lancia has employed Absolute Handling System (AHS) on the Delta. The wireless world of automation        Industrial automation is an integral part of the automobile industry. It is a part of most industries in fact, and irrespective of the fact they manufacture textile yarns or package water bottle. Industrial automation or numerical control is the use of control systems such as computers to control industrial machinery and processes, reducing the need for human intervention.In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization. First serial application of Ultramid structural inserts       Sika Automotive has selected BASF's Ultramid A3WG10 CR to manufac-ture a bodywork insert for use in the new Peugeot 308SW. This plastic belongs to BASF's new class of special polyamides that have been optimised for high durability and strength. Continental components for the new Volkswagen Golf       Continetal has been been closely in-volved in the development of the sixth Volkswagen Golf, providing it with a wide range of components and systems. The components and systems made by Continental areas like chassis, interior and powertrain. Heavy-duty torque support made of plastic       ContiTech Vibration Control has developed a torque support made of a fiberglass-reinforced polyamide to production maturity, which is 50 per cent lighter than a comparable component made of aluminum. The torque converter is making its series-production debut in the new Opel Insignia. Eight common auto applications for real-time pressure mapping       During the design process, it is of-ten necessary to calculate the distribution and magnitude of pressure between two contacting, mating or impacting surfaces. Quite often these surfaces are not easily accessible, making it difficult to take proper impact measurements. Enhancing productivity with integrated enterprise       A convergence of new business driv-ers, including compressed delivery schedules and ever-pressing regulatory demands, has intensified the focus on the critical value of information generated from the manufacturing environment. This in turn has stepped up the need for manufacturers to create an integrated environment Clean diesel engine from Mazda       Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a greatly improved clean diesel engine that offers output and environmental performance comparable to a gasoline engine. It will be progressively introduced to markets around the world, beginning in Europe in 2009. Lectra presents an innovative approach to product development       Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to the soft goods industries, announces the launch of new versions of DesignConcept Auto (V4R1) and DesignConcept TechTex (V4R1), dedicated to the automotive industry and to manufacturers using industrial fabrics. Unique idle stop system from Mazda       Mazda Motor Corporation has developed an idling stop system, called the Smart Idle Stop System (SISS), which improves fuel economy by an estimated ten percent (in Japan’s 10-15 mode tests) in urban areas where vehicles frequently stop at traffic lights or in heavy traffic during operation. New range of products from Liqui Moly       At the Automechanika 2008, Frankfurt, Liqui Moly unleashed a range of gear oils along with a range of service products. The lubricant professionals from Liqui-Moly showcased their complete range of products and customer-oriented service concepts. Volkswagen equipped by antennas by Ficosa       Ficosa Advanced Communications Business Unit is in the news again. A leading developer of automotive integrated antennas with Fractal technology, the business division of Ficosa has bagged a project with Volkswagen. ITM Power showcases hydrogen home refuelling station       The conventional petrol-engined Ford Focus, which has completed suc-cessful urban commuting trials, has been converted to run on hydrogen, which burns without emitting CO2, and could ultimately reduce drivers’ dependence on fossil fuels. New advanced fuel cell hybrid from Toyota       Toyota Motor Corporation has developed a fuel cell hybrid vehicle called as FCHV-adv. Equipped with a newly designed high-performance fuel cell "FC Stack", the FCHV-adv acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism on June 3, 2008, and is capable of achieving a cruising distance of 830 kms compared to the 780 km range of its predecessor Electric 500       At the recent British Motor Show, UK-based Nice Car Company showcased a Fiat 500 that is powered by electricity. Combining Europe's Car of the Year with the most advanced electric drive system, the 500 is built to order and is built by Nice in co-operation with Micro-Vett. Centrifugal pendulum-type absorbers for increased vibration damping       Post the successful development of the dual mass flywheel (DMF), LuK, the Schaeffler Group company, has come up with yet another development to curb vibration. Through integrating a centrifugal pendulum-type absorber High capacity fuel cell stack from Nissan       The race for alternate propulsion tech-nology is driving automakers and suppliers in search of new breakthroughs. Nissan's next generation fuel cell stack, in addition to doubling the power density also costs nearly 35 per cent less due to the use of platinum. Renault F1 road show in New Delhi       The ING Renault F1 team has announced that its unique F1 City Road Show will be held in New Delhi on Sunday, November 09, 2008. The Renault road show is being brought to India at the invitation of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games of India 2010, and will be part of the "700 Days to go for the Commonwealth Games 2010" celebrations. ATS Conveyors Automation in conveyors       Automobile Turnkey Supplier – that’s ATS Group, well known for its high end technology, competitiveness and reliability of the system over the years globally. With a wide product range, the company often works as a strategic partner rather than a mere supplier with its clients and shares ongoing relationships. Antonov develops low cost gearbox for low cost car       Antonov has developed a low cost gearbox for low cost cars. For the same, the company has returned to first principles. In seeking out viable up-to-date technical solutions, Antonov is exploiting its earlier inventions and innovative engineering roots. Centrifugal pendulum-type absorbers for increased vibration damping       Post the successful development of the dual mass flywheel (DMF), LuK, the Schaeffler Group company, has come up with yet another development to curb vibration. Through integrating a centrifugal pendulum-type absorber, LuK discovered that the damping capacity of the dual mass flywheel can be increased by an additional speed-adaptive component. Maximum trunk space for notchback       The trunk lift mechanism has always been an issue with notchbacks. Very often they have come in the way of storage space or practicality, turning notchback sedans short on trunk space or short on convenience. Together with Skoda, German tier supplier. Turismo brake discs from Brembo       Brembo has developed a new, co-cast floating brake disc, which is made of two materials—cast iron and aluminium. Other than weighing less by 15 to 20 per cent, the co-cast floating brake disc, called Turismo, offers advantages like greater driving comfort, less corrosion, less wear and better braking performance. Eye for the road       GM group company, Adan Opel of Germany, has developed a cam-era that aids drivers. Developed by Opel engineers in Rüsselsheim and specialists from supplier Hella, the wide-angle, high-resolution camera and processors read signs and keep to the lane. New advanced fuel cell hybrid from Toyota       Toyota Motor Corporation has developed a fuel cell hybrid vehicle called as FCHV-adv. Equipped with a newly designed high-performance fuel cell "FC Stack", the FCHV-adv acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism on June 3, 2008, and is capable of achieving a cruising distance of 830kms compared to the 780 km range of its predecessor. Plugless plug in hybrid from MIRA       Automotive designer MIRA has un-veiled a retrofit hybrid conversion that unlocks the potential to save 61 per cent on fuel costs and lower tailpipe emissions by 39 per cent without designing a new car. The hybrid conversion with a novel removable battery pack upgrades existing vehicles to the technology some concept cars are showcasing at this year‘s motor shows. Promising new fuel cell technology       Japan-based Genepax Co has unveiled the development of a new, revolution-ary fuel cell system, which it describes as Water Energy System (WES). WES uses water as a fuel and does not emit CO2. The system can generate power just by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes respectively. Faurecia co-develops pre-crash vehicle safety system       Vehicle users of the future will be con-siderably safer in the event of a side-on collision. A project called APROSYS (Advanced PROtection SYStems) was unveiled recently in Spain, which includes an innovative safety system that is able to predict an on-coming collision and activate a side-impact protection system that significantly reduces the risk of injury. Green Elise from Lotus       Group Lotus, which won two con-tracts as part of winning project consortia announced by the UK Government Technology Strategy Board recently, and which includes the introduction of commercial fleets of zero-emission fuel cell hybrid taxis other than a large luxury hybrid executive saloon, has unveiled a Eco Elise. ZF electric drive for low-floor buses       Today's short-distance passenger transport by rail is not imaginable without electric motors; they are quiet and highly efficient. Now, their advantages can also be made use of in buses – also independent of overhead lines. Together with modern battery technology, they can store braking energy. New ceramic coating allows composites to be used in high temperature environments       A new ceramic thermal barrier technology will allow high strength, lightweight materials to be used in high temperature environments for which they have previously been unsuitable. “We believe our association with Dynabrade India is a big step ahead for us”       Dynabrade (India) and SATA of Germany have joined forces in India. Both are manufacturers of high-quality pneumatic tools for professional users, and have come together to further develop their businesses jointly in the fast growing market on the Indian subcontinent. Land Rover LRX concept with Lexan high-tech plastic glazing       The Land Rover LRX is a radically smaller, two-door crossover/coupe concept that is built on a cut-down LR2 platform. Some 6 inches shorter and 7.5 inches lower than an LR2, the LRX concept has four-wheel drive, hill descent control, and Land Rover's Terrain Response System, the later adding a lower-emissions Eco mode. BMW Sauber Formula 1 team develops electric KERS       After a go ahead for hybrid technol-ogy in Formula One in 2009 to in-crease the output and efficiency of the cars, BMW Sauber is developing one. It should therefore not come as a surprise to see a hybrid BMW Sauber Formula One car in action in the next season. Smooth powershift gearbox cuts fuel consumption       The Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are powered by a two-litre turbodiesel motor mated to a powershift fully-automatic transmission. A six-speed unit, the transmission has been developed by Volvo Cars in co-operation with its transmission partner Getrag and in principle as two parallel manual gearboxes. TRW relies on DSM for auto interiors       TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH, manu-facturer of automotive air registers and other interior com-ponents, depends on DSM Engineering Plastics to meet the varying needs of Tier 1 suppliers and automotive OEMs. Reactive suspension & daytime LED for Lancia Delta       The new Lancia Delta mid-size sedan, which is a combination of elegance, style and innovation gets vital bits from Magneti Marelli. These include a damping control system called Reactive Suspension System, which controls the shock absorbers electronically to reduce vehicle oscillations. Another “Red Dot” for Kuka Robots       The “red dot” award enjoys international recognition – and not just in designer circles. KUKA Roboter has won this accolade yet again, building on its past successes. We are exploring opportunities in India with giant industries       A global player in CAD and PLM industry, think3 has been operating in the ICT sector for more than 25 years and provides the only technology that links three separate design areas: the concept, its development and the finished product. Sprucing up interiors       The steering wheel and the gear-le-ver knob fall comfortably in the driver's grip, the armrests offer cosy support and the instrument panel and door trim exude a clean-cut elegance without seeming cold and antiseptic. Makino Technology Centre conducts HVM Solutions seminar       Makino recently held a High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) solutions seminar at its technology centre in Manesar, Gurgaon. The seminar was aimed at promoting greater awareness and understanding about the application and relevance of CNC Machining in high-volume manufacturing process across different sectors, including automobile, auto-component and general engineering. BorgWarner turbo for Ford EcoBoost engines       The Ford EcoBoost engine is a direct-injection gasoline (petrol) construc-tion with dual turbochargers. Displacing 3.5-litres, the 'vee' six-cylinder engine with the combination of direct-injection and dual turbochargers is expected to work akin to a 'vee' eight-cylinder motor but with a fuel economy that is 20 per cent more and reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 15per cent. Electric eDIH park brake from TRW       TRW Automotive has unveiled a new electric drum-in-hat(eDIH) park brake concept that frees up valuable interior space and allows for easier installation with fewer components, integrates with other safety systems to bring the safety and comfort benefits of electric park brake technology to a range of larger vehicles. Plastic fenders on Peugeot's first car for China       Auto body panels moulded from Sabic Innovative Plastics’ high-tech Noryl GTX resins continue to augment their global market penetration as automakers from around the world increasingly seek the innovative, high-performance benefits the resins provide. LuK 7-speed DSG gearbox in volume production at Volkswagen       The new 7-speed DSG gearbox from Volkswagen stands for future-orien-tated double clutch technology and a dynamic, sporty and comfortable driving experience. Pleasant feel polyurethanes for the interior       In yet another development BASF has developed new special polyurethanes; PU sprayed/cast skin and aliphatic HPM-TPU for pleasant feel of the interior trim in automobiles. This involves Elastoskin S 4639 Elastogran. Harness connectors benefit from DSM Arnite       The number of features and functions of a modern car is constantly increas-ing. For years, gasoline consumption, environmental friendliness, comfort and passive safety have been the prime drivers of innovation by automobile manufacturers. Revolutionary gas pedal from Continental       It happens in a fraction of a second: The vehicle in front brakes suddenly, the driver in the car behind is distracted at the very moment and rams into the car ahead. In a country like Germany where speeds are high and cars, powerful, nearly every other accident is a rear-end collision. New bearing concept with axial splines from FAG       FAG is all set to change the face of wheel bearings. The new bearing con-cept with axial splines promises a reduction in weight of around ten percent and a significantly simplified mounting procedure compared with conventional radial splines. Reduced fuel consumption with ball screw drives in electromechanical steering system       A compact crossover SUV built by the German automaker Volkswagen, based on the A platform of the Golf, the Tiguan is a combination of the German words Tiger and Leguan. Light and flexible tank for hydrogen applications       BMW Group Forschung und Technik has come out with a light and flex-ible tank for hydrogen applications. BMW company’s research and technology arm, BMW Group Forschung und Technik has been working with other car manufacturers to achieve an important step forward in hydrogen storage. All-wheel drive for Porsche Carrera       The 911 from Porsche is a legend-ary automobile and one of the most coveted sports cars the world over. Also, arguably the most costliest product of the Porsche range of sports cars and sports utility vehicles, at a little over Rs. 1 crore in India, the Porsche 911 recently underwent a detailed overhaul. Variable Compression gathers momentum       Variable Compression ratio in an in-ternal combustionengine is a tech-nology that adjusts internal combustionengine cylinder compression ratio on the fly. The Variable Compression ratio (VCR) mechanism was developed for use in both gasoline and diesel medium and heavy duty engines. Sharpline ties up with Christiani for technical training       Sharpline Automation Pvt Ltd, the Mumbai-based leader in CNC retrofitting and automation, has sharpened its focus with a rethinking on vocational training in India. The result is the recent launch of Chritiani Sharpline Technical Training Pvt Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Christiani of Germany, the pioneers in vocational training education, and Sharpline Autumation Pvt Ltd. White grease for green vehicles       To lower a vehicle’s energy consumption, many technologies are being tested in the automotive industry. Weight reduction is of particular concern, which is the reason why in many cases plastics are being used to replace metals. This is a special challenge for lubrication, because the compatibility of plastics and lubricants is not always easy to achieve. Tackling rejects and reducing the costs and downtime       A supplier to Maruti Suzuki, Climate Systems India (CSIL) was established in 1991 as as a joint venture between Ford Motor Company (now Visteon Corporation, a long time customer of Rockwell Automation) and Maruti Udyog (now Suzuki Motors). The company manufacturesheat exchangers exclusively for the Suzuki Motors plant near New Delhi and is committed to product and service quality comparable to the best in the worl The onus is on us to revolutionise the way car transactions happen in India       The vision at Carwale.com is to become India's most influential and authoritative source of automotive data for consumers and other stakeholders in the automotive ecosystem. The idea is to help consumers reduce their hassles and maximise their next car sale or purchase. New generation Zeroshift transmission       European Powertrain Company, Zeroshift, has introduced a modified version of its Zeroshift transmission. Having presented the second generation of its automatic gearbox technology last year Zeroshift has now moved into the next phase of development with two new actuator systems and a new industry standard control system aimed at making the integration of the high-efficiency transmission as simple as possible. Quick start With ZF's 8-Speed Automatic Transmission       New technologies are evolving around hybrid propulsion technology as auto manufacturers race towards meeting or exceeding the tighter emission norms. Most hybrids include an auto transmission that is hooked to the process of start-stop as the source of propulsion varies between an internal combustion engine and an electric drive motor. In a new development, ZF's new generation 8-speed auto transmission enables the integration of hydraulic impulse oil storage in micro hybrids. Volkswagen completes Blue TDI development       At the recent International Vienna Motor Symposium, Volkswagen an-nounced the production of the BlueTDI, a next-generation turbo diesel developed especially for the North American market. This is in keeping with the fact that five US states including California, currently have the strictest emissions standards in the world (BIN5/LEV2). Dynamic measurement of objects       In developing products within a short pe-riod of time and manufacturing them at low costs, the inspection of parts with respect to their motion and deformation behaviour plays a decisive role. In fact, many industries today perform dynamic object measurement as an important element of product development and testing. Electronic control for direct-injection engine brake pressure       Kelsey-Hayes Company, a subsidiary of TRW Automotive, has developed a modular multi-piston pump electronic stability control (ESC) system with enhanced performance to rapidly build brake pressure independent of vacuum boost from the engine. M&M to acquire Kinetic Motor       Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has said that its Board of Directors has approved the acquisition of business assets of Pune-based Kinetic Motor Company Ltd. (KMCL). The acquisition will be done through a new company to be formed. Robot brings flexibility to laser welding       Robots are increasingly becoming a part of life. They can be found almost everywhere and are no longer subject to as much trepidation as they were before. There are today expected to complement efficiency by enhancing the capabilities. The fact that Kuka robots can work individually, with positioning tables or as a team, enabling extremely large parts to be processed should come as an example. Be it laser welding, laser cutting or laser hybrid welding, all processes are camera-monitored. Faster dedicated measuring fixtures       Measuring fixtures cannot always be assembled exclusively from standard components. When complicated part geometry and/or special contact situations are involved custom-built workpiece adaptations are needed. Usually Witte Far East Pte Ltd (Singapore), manufacturer of modular fixturing system Alufix, supplies such custom-built components conventionally milled. In order to speed up manufacture of special parts Witte is taking advantage of rapid prototyping possibilities and utilising RapidFit from Materialise. Coatec India: Catering to the needs of SMEs       Chandigarh-based Coatec India is driving the shift from large sized Cathodic Electro Deposited (CED) epoxy coating plants to more compact, more relevant plants that cost a fraction of what the larger plants cost. Apart from commissioning many world class CED coating plants, ranging in capacity from 750 litres to 50,000 litres, the company is also redefining material handling with fully automated lines. Small engine fuel delivery modules from Delphi       From motorbikes to commercial lawn mowers to boats, small engines are a vital component of everyday life for many people. But with so many small engines out there—and countless more produced daily—pressure is mounting on small engine manufacturers to comply with increasingly stringent emissions regulations and, in some cases, even fuel economy targets, particularly with commercial equipment. Welding automation of elliptical shape welding By S V Patki & D M Talekar       In any industrial sector, there is a constant quest to improve the product quality and minimise the cost of production. This can be achieved by incorporating suitable automation at the bottleneck points, to compensate for the time lost. Heat treatment plant of Turbo Gears in Pune       Turbo Gears, a Carraro group company, has set up a new thermal treatment plant using the latest gas nitriding process. Specialising in the production of quality components, shafts and gears, the new thermal treatment plant – Gear World – is expected to enable the company to further improve the level of service to its customers and tackle the market more competitively. Faurecia interior systems for BMW X6       The BMW X6, which was recently introduced at Geneva, blends the qualities and design keys of other BMW coupe models with the sporty lines of the X-line vehicle range. Faurecia, Europes second largest equipment supplier, has provided this BMW with its considerable expertise in "premium" interiors for the production of the front seats, instrument panel, centre console and door panels. Seen in the right light       Cameras are being used in optical quality control to an in creasing ex-tent. In many cases, this approach proves more reliable than the manual testing of engines or individual components carried out by humans. Key factors are precisely calculated positions for the camera and light sources, for which the DaimlerChrysler researchers have developed a mathematical planning tool. Torotrak announces first use of mechanical KERS       Torotrak announced a licence agree ment with Xtrac Ltd recently to use traction drive technology to develop highly efficient and compact continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for application in a new mechanical kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) proposed for Formula 1 (F1) motor racing. A major F1 racing team has become the first customer for the mechanical KERS. CFD modelling solutions from Beta CAE Systems       CAE pre- and post-processing software systems from Beta CAE Systems are a popular choice with many automakers and suppliers. The companys flagship product, ANSA pre-processor and µETA post-processor package is one of the leading CAE software and has been instrumental in setting the standards in a multitude of sectors like automotive, railway, aerospace, motor sports, chemical and academics. Minda Group forms JV with Japans Tokai Rika       Auto component manufacturer NK Minda Group announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) with Japan's Tokai Rika to manufacture automotive seat belts, locks and immobilisers. In the new entity, Tokai Rika Minda India Pvt Ltd, the Japanese firm will have 70 per cent stake while the balance 30 per cent will be held by the Minda Group. Diesel particle filter with combined regeneration and nitrogen dioxide reduction       The diesel particulate filter system with combined regeneration and nitrogen dioxide reduction meet Euro 5 emissions. Good response to Auto Engineering Show       The first Auto Engineering Show, organised in Pune, was successful in grabbing the attention of the automotive industry Camfil Farr has established a new company in India       Camfil Farr Air Filtration India Limited - by a joint venture agreement with Anand Automotive Systems, which Camfil Farr has collaborated with for many years. Enterprise technology for harmonious manufacturing       Stamping dies are a substantial invest-ment for automotive manufacturing in the range of US$ 80-100 million per vehicle programme BASF plastics for new Mercedes C-Class       As the race for weight saving and efficiency enhancement assumes greater pace, automotive plastics also start playing a greater role in applications that were until now the monopoly of metals Nissan develops innovative concept car       Nissan has unveiled an innovative concept car with X-by-wire technology New generation of power electronics from Continental       Hybrids are finding increasing recognition as automakers seek to develop greener technologies Tenneco’s kinetic suspension technology on Toyota LandCruiser       The new Toyota LandCruiser employs Tenneco’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System Automotive engineering show       It's been a year almost since the Auto Cluster Development and Research In-stitute moved into its own premises in the industrial suburb of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad. Playing an important role in the lives of auto industries in and around Pune, the Auto Cluster is holding a Automotive Engineering Show at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre at Chinchwad from May 14-17, 2008. Robotics Bending very large, heavy metal plates       After hitting upon the idea of industrialising the building trade with the aid of prefabricated steel box panels, Wolfgang Langer began to search for an integrated automation solution for their production. Eliminating vibes       Hybrid propulsion, active cylinder controls, compression devices are some of the new technologies that the auto industry is working on for the future. These technologies are likely to usher in more fuel-efficient and environment friendly automobiles. Cadillac CTS dressed in Beneke-Kaliko PUR upholstery       The 2008 Cadillac CTS combines power and performance in a luxury sedan. Substantially revised, the CTS offers a far more inviting cabin, far from the cold, plastic-ridden treatment found in the current edition of the car. Hydraulic steering soon to be a technology of past       Hydraulic steering mechanism seen on most automobiles may soon be a thing of past. The progress in electromechanical devices and systems is poised to replace hydraulic steering systems. Volvo XC60 with Continetal sensor system       The XC60 from Volvo is a new arrival and marks Volvo's continued pres-ence in the SUV domain. A softroader that blends muscularity with the sporty charisma of a coupe, the XC60 is actually a crossover with bold styling and a variety of intelligent safety systems. Smaller, lighter, more capable braking system       Continental's new MK100 brake system generation makes it possible to install ABS/ESC in all vehicle categories. Newest development from Continental, MK100's range of functions can be scaled to suit whatever functionality and level of performance is required - from a motorcycle ABS system with or without an integral braking function right up to the demanding high-end ESC designs with their extremely powerful, low-pulsation pump variants. Aluminium crane systems in practical use       More and more companies are realising that it is necessary to optimise their material flow and handling in production, trading and distribution by means of both specific and wide-ranging rationalisation measures. Improved aerodynamics and weight-saving for BMW M3       The BMW M3 was shown at the Auto Expo 2008 held in Delhi re-cently. The car is a CBU and is offered in India as part of the M family. The M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile. New Passat CC with self-sealing tyres       The new Passat CC four-door debuted at the Detroit Motor Show with a coupe body style. Unifying sports car dynamics and sedan comfort, the Passat CC is a car whose concept and design sets a new course beyond the mainstream. Dual-mass flywheel and clutch from ZF in Boxer diesel engine       Subaru's world's first boxer diesel en-gine is part of a symmetrical AWD drivetrain layout, which mounts the horizontally opposed engine and transmission longitudinally. RoboPlazma revolution: faster, smarter, cost effective       Plazma Cutting Technologies Pvt Ltd is a single product dedi-cated 100 man company. With excellence as a hallmark, the company is powered by synergy, teamwork, drive, foresight, audacity and innovative genius.  Industrial Automation INDIA       The inaugural Industrial Automation INDIA, an event organised by Deutsche Messe AG at Bangalore in December 2007 through its Indian subsidiary Hannover Fairs India Pvt Ltd, was a huge success. Diagnostics for workshops       SIDIS MB from Continental covers the vehicle communication systems of all well-known automobile manufacturers from Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen (data of 43 vehicle manufacturers, 818 vehicle types and more than 15,000 electronic control units). Advanced series plug-in-hybrid drive system design from Raser       Designed for full-size SUVs and pickup trucks in conjunction with its systems integration partner, FEV, Raser Technologies' new advanced extended-range plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and integrated drive system integrates Raser's Symetron technology in an advanced 200 kilowatt (kW) peak, 100 kW continuous AC induction motor and power electronic traction drive and a 100 kW PM synchronous generating system and a 700 volt lithium-ion battery and power... Festo plug and work A great combination       Gone are the days when designers had to design expensive handling systems over a protracted period themselves: With Festo's plug and work, the shrewd customer is reaching for fully pre-assembled handling axes with grippers or vacuum suction units which can be integrated into an assembly system with a minimum of effort. Role of instrumentation in automobile industry       The Indian Auto Industry today is go-ing from strength to strength. In terms of statistics, it is the: Largest three wheeler market in the world Second largest two wheeler market in the world Fourth largest passenger vehicle market in Asia Fourth largest tractor market in the world, and Fifth largest commercial vehicle market in the world. Cyronics pursues auto sector growth       Cyronics recently shifted its office from Shivajinagar to Kothrud in Pune. The new, swanky office belies the fact that Cyronics specialises in automotive diagnostic equipment and related technologies and medical equipment. These sound like two different extremities and yet make perfect business sense for a company. Specialty vortex flow meters       A flowmeter is an instrument used to measure linear, non-linear, mass or volumetric flow rate of a liquid or a gas. A vortex flow meter has a sensor that detects the frequency of vortex shedding behind an obstacle in flowing fluid by small pressure variations. Adaptive front lighting system       Adaptive front lighting systems (AFS) redirect low-beam headlamp units individually in a horizontal direction in accordance with steering angle and vehicle speed. As a result, these systems can improve visibility during nighttime cornering, ensuring safer driving. Battery condition indicator       Aweak battery can easily give driv-ers a nasty surprise in the morning, particularly when temperatures drop. The car won't start, because the starter doesn't receive the needed power. Ironically, today's batteries must provide much more than they did in the past. After all, vehicle electronics have taken on many more responsibilities. Sabic offers new insight into latest auto design trends       Through the annual auto trend watch program, Sabic regularly shares its strong market insights, research and expertise in automotivedesign trends with customers. Current trends include double-curved glazing with extended functionality, white and deep gloss black exterior applications, and added functionality in wraparound-style exterior body panels. Smart keyless technology for Ford Focus and Mondeo       Keyless entry is nothing new nor is key less ignition. Described in simple terms a keyless entry is a highly convenient piece of technology employed in automobiles that unlocks the driver's door or all the doors, making it unnecessary to use a key. "Bar coding can help in differentiating the fake parts from the genuine ones"       US-based Zebra Technologies is a leading global provider of rugged and reliable specialty printing solutions, including on-demand thermal bar code label and receipt printers and supplies, plastic card printers, RFID smart label printer/encoders, certified smart media, and digital photo printers. Automotive Products Finder spoke to Mr Shailesh Deshmukh, Territory Manager (India), Zebra Technologies. Excerpts Brake assist systems usher more safety for pedestrians       The European Union wants brake as-sist to be standard by 2009 on all new cars. Not for no reason. Brake assist is looked upon as a system that will help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents. In most circumstances, when the driver wants to come to a stop as quickly as possible, especially in a critical situation, he usually steps on the brake quickly, but often not firmly enough, wasting valuable braking distance. Magneti Marelli and Fiat 500       The little Fiat 500 was rolled out by Fiat India recently and will go on sale very soon. Priced at Rs 12 lakhs approximately, the Fiat 500 will be sold in India as a CBU. Inspired by the Fiat 500 of the 50s, the car is receiving accolades the world over. Bending with integrated intelligence       Multibend-Center is the name of the bending centre from RAS Reinhardt Maschinenbau GmbH for flexible sheet-metal working. In a state-of-the-art production line, two KUKA robots load and unload this unique bending system. Premium Surround Sound for new Mercedes SL-Class       The new generation Mercedes SL-Class debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and carries with it a number of new enhancements in addition to dashing good looks. Other than new power plants Mercedes has tweaked the rest of the SL to provide a more responsive and "sportier" roadster. Continental extends ContiGuard safety system       Continental has enhanced the performance of ContiGuard, its comprehensive vehicle safety system, which interlinks the brake and driver assistance systems all the vehicle's active and passive safety components, and integrates environmental sensors and telematics functions. Atlas Copco introduces energy efficient compressor       Atlas Copco has yet again proven its world leadership in air-compressor manufacturing with the introduction of the new GA range of oil-injected compressors. Every component in the new GA range has been carefully evaluated and designed to provide Atlas Copco's customers with a product offering the highest levels of reliability and energy efficiency. Fast-acting airbag sensors provide greater safety       Continental, the international auto-motive supplier, has developed a Crash Impact Sound Sensing (CISS) system which controls airbag ignition so precisely that, in the event of an accident, the vehicle occupants are provided with maximum protection. The characteristic structure-borne sound caused by an impact allows CISS to detect both the accident and its severity and to distinguish even more quickly and more reliably between different crash situations. Eclipse Inc celebrates 100 years       Eclipse Inc., the Rockford, IL based world-leading combustion engineering major is presently celebrating its 100 years of Global Family Business. Founded in 1907 by Garnet McKee, Eclipse is now headed by the Perks family, and is now celebrating its First 100 years in all its establishments across the world spanning the Netherlands, China, several other European and Asian nations including India, during 2007 and 2008. Everything in view       VDO Dayton is offering a portable truck navigation system and at the same time incorporating digital television into its mobile devices. This means that drivers of large vehicles such as trucks, buses, or RVs can get more than professional support in choosing the right route to take. “Our automotive solutions enable automotive retailers compete successfully online”       What are the solutions Logix Microsystems specialises in? Particularly automotive solutions like Izmo... We provide a complete suite of products, platforms, services, and solutions for creating and running a successful Internet automotive dealership. izmocars offerings include izmoweb, the interactive, custom designed dealer websites that are in fact Internet dealerships; izmoMobi, which is the first mobile website platform for automotive retail, izmoRainmaker, a complete online marketing soluti Rockwell Automation assists Tata ramp up operations       Research shows that less than 2 per cent of Indian citizens own automo-biles, compared with 45 per cent in the United States, and the Indian population is three times the size of the United States. These two very simple statistics illustrate the huge potential for the automotive industry in India. Automobile ownership in India is on the rise and manufacturers are aggressively ramping up operations to meet the growing demand. Bosch and Mahle to develop and manufacture exhaust gas turbochargers       The increasing use of turbocharg-ers in diesel as well as gasoline (petrol) engines has many systems suppliers taking heed. Robert Bosch and Mahle have announced that they will be establishing a fifty-fifty joint venture to develop, manufacture, and market exhaust gas turbochargers. The joint venture is expected to commence in April 2008. Colour trendsetter ecology       The debate on climate protection and heightened environmental awareness is impacting colour trends for cars. “The worlds of colour reflect a sustainable symbiosis of nature and technology,” declare BASF Coatings colour designers Michaela Finkenzeller and Mark Gutjahr (Europe), Chiharu Matsuhara (Asia/Pacific) Dual mass flywheel from ZF       More than 50 per cent of the cars in Europe are diesel. The recent advances in diesel have made them an attractive candidate for passenger cars and vans. And more and more people are lapping up diesel cars in Europe. Many motorists, particularly diesel drivers Negotiating curves safely       Advances in technology are dialing in more safety, reliability and driv-ing pleasure. Systems like power steering are getting increasingly hi-tech with every passing day. Sophisticated mechatronic systems are taking over the functions from simple electronic or mechanical linkages with an increasing tendency to network complex systems in liaison with each other. ThyssenKrupp Steel and JFE develop new ultra high-strength steel       With the debate of metal versus plastic at its peak in the auto in-dustry, ThyssenKrupp Steel and Japan’s second-biggest steel producer JFE Steel Corporation have joined forces to develop a new multiphase steel for automotive applications. Variable dampers from ZF       Europe is the hotbed of commercial vehicle activity. Other than a desti-nation for probably the most advanced commercial vehicle technologies, Europe is also a big market for sophisticated commercial vehicles. Active bonnet system for Citroen C6       The Citroen C6 achieved four stars for pedestrian safety in the Euro NCAP crash tests. The C6 takes the essential cues of executive saloons – elegance, sophistication and on-the-road presence – and combines them with the marque's own key values. New pre-crash sensor to prevent accidents in urban traffic       The increasing number of automobiles and a diverse mix of commercial vehicles, light vehicles, three wheelers and two wheelers is increasing safety challenges. Urban areas have seen the most increase in traffic. New miniature TMC antenna solutions for PNDs       Utilising Traffic Message Channel (TMC) technology, Ficosa’s Advanced Communications Business Unit launched a new set of outstanding external and internal antenna solutions to enable real-time traffic information into portable car navigation systems. TMC is a specific application of the FM Radio Data System (RDS) used for broadcasting real-time traffic and weather information. It is typically digitally coded using the FM-RDS system on conventional FM radio broadcasts. It can also be transmitted on DAB or satellite radio. It allows silent delivery of high quality accurate, timely and relevant information, in the language chosen by the user and without interrupting normal services. Services, both public and commercial, are largely operational in many European countries. While the countries that offer TMC services include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden... Hoses for rising standards       Higher performance, smaller installation spaces and more demanding customers are the typical challenges most auto manufacturers continue to face. ContiTech’s fluid technology arm has developed new hydraulic, flat, and moulded hoses to enable the automakers to handle these challenges. Subaru unveils Boxer diesel       Subaru has come up with the world’s first Boxer diesel engine. A symmetrical AWD drivetrain layout, which mounts the horizontally opposed engine and transmission longitudinally, coupled with the AWD system, the Boxer diesel engine produces a powerful torque output of 350Nm at 1800rpm while complying with European EURO 4 regulations - it produces 148 g of CO2 per km. 7-speed DSG from Volkswagen       Volkswagen launched the Passat in India with a 6 speed DSG (auto) transmission. It received quite an amount of attention from the media for its brilliance and technology. Volkswagen has now come up with a 7-speed DSG (auto) transmission for high-volume production – starting in the Golf. Spallshield revolution       DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions introduced DuPont Spallshield, the business' first generation plastic composite product, for use in vehicle sunroofs recently. Its launch marks a new alternative to pure organic plastic glazing or other existing glass-glass type laminates. Applied to a single layer of glass, Spallshield provides up to eight times the impact performance versus standard laminated glass, whilst weighing up to 30 per cent less. The business views the introduction of the glass-plastic composite as a "revolution in safety glass technology", and a response to OEMs' efforts to design ever larger roof systems into vehicle production. The immediate success of the new technology is reflected by its adoption in new models from Mercedes-Benz. Recycling of tyres       Every year Europe generates 2.5 million tonnes of old tyres. Nearly 600,000 tonnes of these originate in Germany, where tyre sales are the highest. Many find their way to a landfill and find little other use. Automotive supplier Continental AG, which is also the manufacturer of Continental tyres in addition to various other automotive sub assemblies, systems and components, has found a new way to recycle old tyres. The group has found a tyre disposal company, Reifen-Entsorgungsgesellschaft mbh, which works with different waste management companies in the area of tyre recycling. As part of the research and development used tyres were shredded, for example, and waste rubber containing metal and fabric reduced to as little as 20 mm in size. Right Light       Good visibility and adequate lighting are vital for safe driving, and especially when it gets dark or the weather turns foul. Fall and winter bring challenges, such as grimy windscreens and dirty headlamps. Wiper systems are constantly switched on and off as leaves, rain and slush come into play. However, it’s not only the view through the windscreen that is impaired by poor road conditions, drivers often underestimate how restricted vision range can be with dirty headlamps on dark roads. This can have a negative effect on reaction time. VDO, which was recently acquired by Continental and has been developing technologies to enable the driver get a better view of the road ahead, has developed a new technology that improves visibility and cleans headlamps. Having a range of products and systems that include heated washer fluid reservoirs and state of the art nozzles, VDO has developed nozzles that clean away the dirt from the headlamps and windscreen with up to 3.5 bar water pressure. Countdown to Auto Expo 2008       Auto Expo 2008 is expected to herald exciting time for the Indian auto industry as well as the ones who aspire to own a vehicle. This show will, for the first time, shed light on India's common man even as it highlights green solutions Sensing solutions for winds of change       Sensing solutions are an integral and important aspect of today's automobile industry, says Prakash Rao Pneumatic trends in automobile industry       Over the past few years, all the successful automobile manufacturers have reduced their supplier basis for vehicle components from several thousand companies to just a few hundred. One-stop solution for auto component manufacturers       The auto component industry in India is poised for a big leap with a lot of new greenfield facilities that are coming up, and also the expansion plans of major automobile manufacturers. Green solutions from Beru       Ludwigsburg-based systems supplier Beru has come up with green solutions for the automobile industry. Ford SYNC heralds new in-car communications technology       Bagging the award from Popular Science magazine as a top new technical innovation of the year, the Ford SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most digital media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones Two-stage turbo puts on the pressure       Regulated 2-stage turbocharging from BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems is set to take the US market by storm in the 6.4-litre V8 diesel engine from International and Ford Basotect for Lexus LS       The LS Series is a flagship model of the Lexus range. Part of Toyota Motor Corporation, the Lexus LS provides the high- est level of performance and technology, and the truest expression of luxury of any Lexus ever created. The LS employs BASF's melamine resin foam Basotect TG for engine hood covers. Nanotechnology for environment       Thermoplastics modified by the addition of Nano particles point at new engineering developments that could mark a step towards environment protection Maglev on the Mumbai-Nagpur corridor       Maharashtra is planning to launch a Maglev that will cover the nearly 900 km between Mumbai and Nagpur within three-and-half-hours at a speed of roughly 500 kph. The plan follows railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's remark last year about the possibility of high-speed trains in India. Turbocharging and second generation gasoline direct injection look promising       Gasoline direct injection and turbocharging are modern technologies that promise maximum performance. Bosch has intelligently combined both technologies to give gasoline engines torque and economy at all revolution speeds Audi turns to LED headlamps       German sports car maker, Audi, has turned to LED head lamps for the R8. Since 1992, red LEDs have been used increasingly for high-level brake lights, as well for tail lights and regular brake lights. Delphi's IVT sensor makes more electronics possible       Delphi Corporation's new battery IVT sensor helps ensure optimal battery performance, improving the integrity of a continuously expanding collection of electronics included on automobiles while ensuring sufficient power for starting the engine. Delphi's Battery IVT Sensor precisely measures current (I), voltage (V)... ZF develops automatic 8-speed transmission for passenger cars       The 8-speed auto transmission promises six per cent savings over the second-generation six speed auto transmission Audi starts A6 production in India       Audi has successfully started production for the Indian market of the world's most successful luxury midsize sedan - the Audi A6 - at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. By 2015, when more than 2,000 units of the A6 should be rolling off the line… Smart sensor solution for automotive electronics industry       VTI Technologies, a global market leader of low-g acceleration sensors for automotive industry applications and Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), has designed a new automotive digital accelerometer family to support the trend towards intelligent integration and smart sensing combined with improved reliability and sophisticated self-test features. Optimising airbags       Airbags or Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) are used in an automobile for cushioning the occupants against impact in the event of a collision. The airbag was invented by John W. Hetrick of Newport, PA, US in 1952. He patented the device the following year. Ficosa intelligent communications module       Ficosa, together with GMV, has introduced an intelligent communications module for vehicles that improves traffic movement and safety. Sources at Ficosa claim that in the next few years communications between vehicles… Single-nanotechnology prototype catalyst from Mazda       Japanese automaker and a Ford group company, Mazda has announced the development of a new single-nanotech prototype catalyst Contributing towards CO2 reduction       Hirschvogel Automotive Group, de- velopment partner and production specialist for the automotive industry, showcased its know-how in achieving resource-saving mobility with reduced CO2 emission at the IAA in Frankfurt last year. Honda FCX Clarity advanced fuel cell vehicle       Environmental sustainability is influencing technology and developments like never before. A fitting example is the debut of the Honda FCX Clarity concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. Endress+Hauser & Rockwell partner for process control       Alliance between Endress+Hauser and Rockwell Automation aims at addressing process manufacturing challenges and work towards technologies for next-generation process controls systems AutoForm integrates its technology into Catia V5 Environment       Catia V5 is a leading product development solution for manu facturing organizations from Dassault Systemes. With capabilities that can be applied to a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, electrical, electronics, shipbuilding, plant design, and consumer goods... Air filter for the budget-priced space-saving miracle       A car with all the bells and whistles at roughly Euro 8,500 is nothing less than a miracle. Such a miracle was turned into reality by Renault in the form of Dacia Logan (Renault-Mahindra Logan in India). Innovative EGR systems from Mahle       Systems for Exhaust Gas Re-circulation (EGR) are increasingly used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions of internal combustion engines. More stringent emissions legislation indirectly places ever-higher demands on EGR systems, particularly with respect to the quality of control and endurance. Plastics: A look behind the scenes       Whether in a seat, gearbox, induc-tion or exhaust gas re-circula-tion system: polymer plain bearings can be used for a wide variety of applications. Accordingly, automotive design engineers make the most of the associated low-cost, low-friction and long-life properties. In order to provide an overview of the development, testing and production of polymer bearings, the Cologne-based bearing specialist igus GmbH held a national competition. First prize went to Stefan Kopp, design engineer at Siemens VDO in Schwalbach. First, he was taken on a tour of the igus plant. Then he and his wife sped off for the weekend in a Ferrari 360 Modena. A customer success story       Astra Logistics, a Tier One supplier, satisfies auto industry requirements, improves profitability and reduces capital requirements with Exacta LINK Manufacturing Execution Software (MES) "Exacta orchestrates our order entry, production planning and error proofing systems to ensure that we ship the correct products 100% of the time. It performs data analysis and management to ensure all tire and wheel assemblies shipped by Astra meet or exceed the customer's expectations." Electronics outweigh hydraulics       Even though it is still in the proto-type stage, the Siemens VDO Elec-tronic Wedge Brake (EWB) performs better than today's hydraulic braking systems, achieving about 15 per cent shorter braking distances on ice. This was confirmed during tests on roughened ice in Arjeplog, Sweden for a Dekra expert opinion on braking performance. Today's cars decelerate using hydraulic brakes and use electronics to help shorten braking distances and minimize swerving. In a comparison test with four other mid-sized vehicles, a test vehicle equipped with the Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) achieved noticeably better braking performance without hydraulics. ZF develops new torque vectoring rear axle drive       Safety and improved driving dynamics for all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles is assuming greater priority. In order to meet this challenge ZF has developed a new torque vectoring rear axle drive. When driving straight, the new torque vectoring rear axle drive acts like an ordinary transmission with an open differential: The drive torque is distributed equally among the drive shafts of the wheels. The torque is only distributed individually between both drive shafts during cornering. Fluent for Catia V5 enhances productivity       Version 3.0 of Fluent for Dassault Systemes' Catia V5 software promises workflow enhancements and new features that further improve the integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology in the Catia V5 product lifecycle management (PLM) environment Denso high output power control unit and battery cooling system for hybrid vehicles       Denso Corporation has developed a high output power control unit (PCU) and a battery cooling system for hybrid vehicles. The sub assembly, which is installed on the Lexus LS600h and the Lexus LS600hL that were launched in May 2007 by Toyota Motor Corporation, signal a more efficient and compact structure. Escorts launches new series of pick-n-carry cranes       ECEL, subsidiary of Escorts Limited and leader in the Indian Construction and Material handling Equipment Industry, unveiled the TRX Series of Pick-n-Carry Cranes in the 23 T ( TRX 2319 ), 17T ( TRX 1713 ) and 16T ( TRX 1614) category at the EXCON 2007. Cost reduction in handling sheet-metal components       Sheet metal is a critical part of the auto industry, and as standards elevate, the need for better and more efficient systems is on the rise. This applies to various aspects of the sheet metal industry, from the press to the handling equipment. Handling of sheet metal components, especially the skin panels, is an art. Critical sheet metal components like skin panels require specialised gripping systems to arrive at high standards of fit and finish. There are other factors too, which make the consideration of the economic and efficient aspects of vacuum gripping systems for handling sheet-metal parts very important in the auto industry, which is very sensitive to costs as well. New diesel EGR valve for lower emissions       Tightening emission norms is driving manufacturers and suppliers in search of new technologies. With the sale of new generation diesel on the rise and a greater focus on deriving better emission control in diesel engines auto makers are asking for better and more innovative solutions from their suppliers. Although diesels have lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline engines, they have the potential to emit more smog-causing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates. New clean diesel tech from Nissan       Nissan Motor Company has devel-oped a new clean diesel technol-ogy using high-performance catalysts. The technology is claimed to offer great promise and may be able to meet the State of California's standard for super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs), equivalent to the Tier2Bin2 emissions requirements. While Nissan plans to do further research and development of the clean diesel technology for commercial application in its future products, the technology is structured on three components that work together. Heavy-duty engine platform from Daimler Trucks       DaimlerChrysler has announced a new heavy duty engine plat-form for Daimler Trucks. Andreas Renschler, member of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of the Daimler Trucks Division, and his colleagues, Dr. Michael Dostal, who is responsible for Powertrain Operations & Manufacturing Engineering, and Chris Patterson, who is responsible for the NAFTA Region and the commercial vehicle brands Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses, today presented the new Heavy-Duty Engine Platform (HDEP) for the North American market in Detroit, Michigan, US. Orbitz package for automechanika China       automechanika is the world's premier event for automotive parts, equipment and service suppliers. For years it was hosted in Germany and confined to the west. Its magnitude and potential soon reached the Far East and Asia Pacific regions making it imperative to host its Eastern equivalent. Improved efficiency and quality for painting steel       Where steel is used in motorvehicle manufacturing andexposed outdoor areas, protection against corrosion and wear is essential, as are resistance to UV radiation, chemicals, solvents and mechanical stressing, as well as a decorative appearance. Robotised for growth       If the management of the Pune-based Precision Automation Robotics India Limited (PARI) claims to be in an "extremely bullish" mood, let it be made clear that it has nothing to do with stocks and shares. But yes, the words chosen to describe the sentiment are perfect for the occasion. Inertial sensors find increasing use n automobiles       Even if the first application of the Southampton University based sensors will be aimed at improving car safety systems, the sensors could also be used to improve GPS back-up systems, virtual reality systems, inertial navigation and guidance as well as seismology. High temperature identification       Challenges are meant to be conquered. This is how Pepperl+Fuchs solved the problem Delphi MagneRide semi-active suspension for Audi R8       Audi's new R8 road-going sports car, which incorporates the genes of the five-time Le Mans winning race car, becomes yet another Audi after the TT to feature Delphi’s revolutionary MagneRide suspension technology. Launched in Europe earlier this year, the R8’s MagneRide semi-active suspension technology uses magneto-rheological fluid-filled dampers to provide continuously variable real-time suspension damping control. Lane departure warning on BMW 5-Series       BMW launch)ed the new 5 Series early this year and em-bodies all-round enhancement of the dynamic, innovative and sophisticated character of the 5 Series, attractive modifications in design, enhanced style and value within the interior, best-of-class fuel economy in all model variants, trend setting, future-oriented enhancement of comfort and safety features, enhancement of the model’s leading position in the segment and new dimension of efficient dynamics. Plastic Vs metal       Automobiles of today are a com-plex construction. And with every step forward, the complexity in automobiles is only growing. The power output for a given displacement is rising and so are the systems that handle the increased output and torque. Cars weighing as low as 800kg are putting out power in the region of 250-350 hp and enjoy a power-to-weight ratio that is close to defying the laws of nature. Suction pads developed for a car manufacturer       Originally developed for the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota, which uses its own tooling systems with standardised connections in its press shops, the suction pads of the types SABT-C and SAFT-C have now been released for sale on the world market. Greater flexibility in prototype construction       Incremental sheet metal forming at the AUDI AG Pre-series center. Only a small circle of developers and design experts know what the cars of tomorrow will look like. They create vehicles long before they hit the market. The culture of modern safety systems       Every automotive manufacturer should know the culture of modern safety systems, says George Schuster. Automotive manufacturers are un-der constant pressure to provide a safe working environment in their factories without the expense of unnecessary downtime or reduced productivity. Intelligent nutrunning stations at VW       The Emden facility of Volkswagen in Germany where the Passat is made employs Siemen’s intelligent nutrunning stations Konecranes – the ideal lifting partner       Konecranes has now entered the Indian Market with a 100% subsidiary of Konecranes Plc, Finland. Konecranes India Private Limited is a fully operational office representing all products and business areas. THUMS for pedestrian safety simulations       Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Central Research & Development Laboratory have been developing THUMS since 1997 Electronic warning system from Siemens VDO       German automotive supplier showcased driver attention system for safety of drowsy or inattentive truckers at the Hannover Commercial Vehicles show New composite solutions and technologies from Polytec Group       Polytec Group exhibited new composite solutions and technologies for reducing the weight of trucks at the Hannover commercial vehicle show. TFT instrument cluster on the new Jaguar XK       The new XK from Jaguar features some outstanding features. TFT instrument cluster is one of them. British automaker, Jaguar selected Visteon Corporation as one of the devlopment partners for its new XK. Visteon partnered with Jag to develop an advanced instrument cluster for the new XK in addition to a few other systems. Slip control boost       TRW Automotive has developed the slip control boost system and steering torque control. TRW Automotive is pursuing new integration opportunities related to electronic stability control (ESC) to provide customers with smaller and lighter systems that yield greater performance and fuel efficiency. PSA with emergency call system       PSA Peugeot Citroën has introduced emergency call system to speed and improve medical assistance. After several months of coopera-tion with the French Interior Ministry's department of public safety (DDSC), PSA Peugeot Citroën has become the first European carmaker with an emergency call system certified to be in compliance with the standards of French road safety organisations. Inertial sensors find increasing use in automobiles       MEMS sensors are increasingly used today to improve performance, reduce cost, and enhance the reliability of the vehicle Need for green products is top environmental issue for Indian manufacturers       Development of ‘green’ or ‘environment-friendly’ products is the most important environmental issue facing manufacturing businesses in India today, according to an international study on sustainability and environmental trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow Corning Corporation. Importance of security       With Ethernet assuming greater significance in industrial systems applications there is a growing need for improved security Pedestrian low lift pallet trucks       The huge range of pedestrian-operated low-lift electronic pallet trucks from GEAPL meets a wide diversity of medium-light and heavy horizontal handling requirements. GEA Ecoflex plans new plant near Pune       The Pune facility will manufacture plate heat exchangers to cover the needs of local as well as the global market On new paths to control reliability & safety       Failsafe Simatic controllers in automotive body production from Siemens Not just lifting things, but the entire business       Konecranes India provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions and services HVOF coating on piston rings       A new and improved process has been developed recently over conventional chrome plating and molybdenum coating. It is HVOF coating Automotive glass       When Henry Ford launched the Model T, windshield was just an option and its function was exclusively to protect car drivers and passengers against wind. Automotive manufacturers these days are continuing to increase the glazing area within cars, in order to emphasise visibility and an open cabin feel. BorgWarner all-wheel drive powers the new Porsche       The new sports car from Porsche employs the innovative all-wheel drive technology from BorgWarner Caparo T1 out in the open       The Caparo T1 aims to surpass the 1000bhp per tonne barrier Lexus LS460 and Denso       System supplier, Denso Corporation, was closely involved with Toyota while developing the Lexus LS460 Smart valve actuation technology       Automotive engine designers are striving to eliminate camshafts from engines altogether EGR cooler from aluminium       Supplier Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG has developed aluminium EGR cooler Parallel sequential dual stage turbo from Honeywell       New dual stage turbo technology from Honeywell promises to elevate diesel engine technology a step higher Car motors into wheels       Supplier, Siemens VDO Automotive has started eCorner development Economical mobility       New systems for lower running costs, less time off the road and reduced fuel consumption as well as cleaner exhaust gases, improved safety and increased comfort Nano ceramic window films utilise spacecraft technology to offer superior protection        Nano ceramic is the latest technology used in manufactur-ing of heat and sun control films for car windows. Mitsubishi Motors develops two new component systems       Two new component systems that improve dynamics and announce new technology are expected to feature in the new Lancer Evolution, due for launch later this year Camera system for a large number of variants Intelligent camera tests steering wheels in vehicles       In order to be able to cope with the continuing increase in the variety of types in the future and for testing quality-relevant properties of steering wheels in vehicles, a task that previously required considerable efforts in sensors and mechanics Noryl resins join GE Plastics portfolio       Noryl GTX joins GE Plastics’ ecomagination portfolio, which already contains products like Xenoy iQ and Valox iQ resins Direct yaw control torque vectoring is in       Honda launched the Acura RL with torque vectoring systems Others are developing their version Parallel full hybrid Cayenne by 2009       Post announcing that Porsche automobiles would comply with the strict EU5 emission standards starting as early as next year the German sports car maker presented the hybrid version of Cayenne recently. Heatable hose-line module for Carbamide technology       SCR technology is the alternative to modifying the engine in order to comply with current and future diesel exhaust gas values. Key component of the solution is a heatable hose line module The enigmatic world of sensors       Bosch has been at the forefront of automotive electronics. It has been researching in the field of sensors for quite some time now Safety electronics from Delphi       Delphi Corporation displayed its latest commercial vehicle offerings at the IAA Nutzfahrzeuge show at Hannover, Germany Special common-rail with plug-in pumps       Bosch has developed a special common-rail system with plug-in pumps, particularly for off-highway applications, light and medium-sized commercial vehicles Integration of fractal antenna designs       Ficosa and Exatec join hands to integrate fractal antenna designs into polycarbonate automotive glazing systems. Zarges inaugurates Corporate Office in Chennai       Zarges Tubesca Aluminum Systems Pvt Ltd, aleading manufacturer of a wide range of ladders, work platforms, scaffolds, construction access products, logistic equipments, etc., Aiming at zero accidents       Toyota Motor Corporation is aiming at zero accidents, and in the process reassessing its technological prowess Advanced data collection helps automotive supplier cut costs       Transaction manager efficiently logs data and provides critical link between plant floor controllers and enterprise-level database Green and safe with daytime LED       Supplier and aftermarket auto component manufacturer, Hella, has developed new LED daytime running light Mikron delivers world leading fuel injection solutions       Mikron Technology Group is offering innovative solutions to the automotive fuel injection technology sector Rai Automotive Systems A leader in garage equipment       The booming automotive sector in the country also translates in a bur-geoning network of service centres for the millions of wheels on the roads. European conveyor systems from ATS Conveyors India       ATS Conveyors (India), a 100% subsidiary of leading European material handling solution provider ATS Group of France with sister company Hero Foerdertechnik in Germany, has made a strong beginning to the financial year by bagging the orders worth Rs. 120 m Graco’s Technology Tour 2007       Fluid handling equipment specialist, Graco conducted a technology tour in India recently Michelin Pilot Road 2 Two tyres in one       The new two-compound Michelin Pilot Road 2 delivers unrivaled longevity and the best grip on wet roads Dassault Systèmes’ Catia PLM Express for Indian SMBs       The company has put in place an India-centric strategy EOS and MotoCzysz come together       Laser-sintering systems supplier, EOS has joined hands with MotoCzysz to help the latter bring its C1 motorcycle to the world racing stage Noise emissions       In recent years, the comfort and environment consciousness of automotive industry and customers has resulted in a constant reduction of vehicle noise emissions Bearings Industry On a strong growth path       Technology is emerging as a standard bearer of the bearings sector ARB Bearings targets auto and precision machine sectors       Delhi based ARB Bearings is aiming at a leadership position in the bearing industry with focus on the auto and precision machine sectors MEC Bearings on a major expansion drive       Bhiwadi-based MEC Bearings has a major expansion plan up its sleeve New concept from BMW       The sale of convertibles is on a rise in Europe, claim industry sources. Smart-Lock from Gerwah       Smart-Lock from couplings expert, Gerwah, is an innovative approach towards optimum connection Nanotechnology for automobile industry Revolution in the making       Nanotechnology and nanomaterials will influence the design/manufacturing of automobiles by 2015, opines Dr. V.K. Tripathi Umicore and Solvay launch Solvicore       Umicore and Solvay launched Solvicore to develop and supply core technology for fuel cell industry Tata to make "air" engine car in India       The path breaking technology for engines powered by air has Tata interested, amongst many others LMS Test Lab for DaimlerChrysler Buses       The world's largest manufacturer of buses and coaches is using LMS technology for fast-turnaround NVH testing. Lean beyond product management       Rising cost pressures are leading to innovations that enable lean beyond product management BMW's green plant       BMW has started operating the world's first green paint shop Voice control in automobiles       Voice control in automobiles is making life easier behind the wheel by combining hardware and software architectures to make up a single system The thinking roof       Scheduled to go into production in the year 2009, a safety system developed by auto supplier Edscha and Ident Technology for convertible roofs offers a non-contact trap guard Launches galore!       A peek at the various launches that took place last fortnight. Innovative ZF technology on BMW 5 Series       Second generation automatic 6-speed transmission from ZF makes for comfortable and safe Shifting on BMW 5 Series. INA Bearings commissions new plant       A Schaeffler Group company, INA Bearings India recently commissioned its new facility at Talegaon near Pune. Plastic and metal coating       Bolted connections used in wind energy plants are subject to complex stresses and hence need to be constructed to withstand these by correspondingly adapting the design of the individual components and by using specialist coating processes. Cyronics to offer diagnostic tools       Pune-based Cyronics Instruments has tied up with Vetronix, USA, for the exclusive distribution of the latter's vehicle diagnostic range of products for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. Auto assembly solutions from PARI       PARI (Precision Automation and Robotics India) has formalised a collaboration with Cinetic Assembly of France to develop, manufacture, and provide solutions for Automotive Assembly, including Overhead conveying and EMS system solutions. Automotive Robotics (India) to set up physical testing lab       The Indian arm of US-based Automotive Robotics Inc. is setting up an EOU physical testing lab at Pune. Hydraulic excavator from L&T-K       Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), XITE leads the way to environm       Chennai-based Kabirdass Motor Oil can talk       A drop of oil or grease carrie Bluetooth penetrates Josam whe       Josam's Truckaligner II has ac Aluminium, the preferred metal       Automakers around the globe ar Mirror finish       Automotive paint technology is Hella and DaimlerChrysler deve       Tier supplier, Hella, and auto ContiTech drive belts in new B       Tier supplier, Hella, and auto Lead-free bearing material for       Daido Metal has developed a co 2007 India International Adhesives and Sealant Expo       The 2007 expo on adhesives and sealants offered a glimpse of the latest developments and breakthroughs Continental joins Darmstadt University in highway safety research       Interdisciplinary project between industry and science is devoted to possible technologies for preventing accidents through autonomous braking and avoidance manoeuvre. High-tech lubricants mobilise ideas       For many of a vehicle's components, the lubricant plays a vital role as a design element. Because, wherever there is relative motion between machine components in contact, specialty lubricants reduce wear and tear, alleviate friction, and enhance the functioning of the component concerned. Advanced moulding applications for 2K air filter box & brake fluid container caps       Advanced moulding applications become a possibility through the use of slim screwed-in nozzles. Antonov invents world's first two-speed turbocharger       Antonov presents the world's first two-speed supercharger drive system that enters series production. Revolutionary fuel cell powertrains from Renault       Renault presents progress in its research into fuel cells. Sealants come of age       Sealants in automobiles have come of age and are increasingly used in applications that were hardly thought of earlier SFL-Autolec - pumping profitability       The Autolec Division of Sundram Fasteners Limited (SFL) is South Asia's largest manufacturer and exporter of water pumps. With more than four decades of manufacturing expertise, it is widely recognised as the market leader in India. Atlas Copco supports Visteon       Visteon employs one of the largest Atlas Copco installations in South India The European Tyre Recycling Association includes over 250 members in 47 countries including 25 EU members. Interested in India, Dr Valerie Shulman, the Secretary General of ETRA, in an interaction with G Venkatesh        New fuel cell concept from Honda       After the much acclaimed Honda FCX, the company has unveiled the new FCX concept Maximum Actros       With the Space Max, Actros engineers are exploring a new world of comfort and safety Corus helps optimise material selection for Ford Galaxy       The steel company, Corus, is working closely with Ford to help it develop and implement the latest grades of high strength steels into several key applications Non-wovens in driver's seat       Found in more than 40 automot Hybrid for trucks       Renault Trucks, which is owned Reliable protection for fasten       Zinc flake provides reliable p Virtual testing of mechatronic       Researchers at DaimlerChrysler Invisible rain sensor       Hella has developed an invisib Enhanced Safety for Rear-End C       At the Automechanika 2006, Con Next-generation diesel engine       Honda recently announced the d Ficosa vision systems for Ivec       Ficosa International has devel New Unimog from DaimlerChrysle       At the recent (2006) IAA Comme SKF at Skovde       Advanced SKF condition monitor Solar sailor       Sailing is going hi-tech with Get it together!       Meisterbocks for holding compl Improved ABS for motorbikes       The anti-lock braking system from Bosch has been specially designed for motorbikes, and makes riding significantly safer High performance environment friendly coatings       Corrosion damage in Germany alone runs to billions of Euros. Therefore protection from corrosion is important Sensor with dual vision capability for tyre manufacturers       A Swedish company, LMI Selcom Sensors That See, has introduced a high speed laser line sensor in Asia for tyre sidewall inspection, radial runout measurement and other applications in the rubber and tyre industry. Avon Seals to expand product range       Company to commission second plant to manufacture oil seals IEEMA propagates RoHS       The Indian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers’ Association organised a seminar to propagate the RoHS directive recently Fagioli PSC and the art of alternative lifting techniques       Italian-owned Faglioli PSC specialises in alternative heavy lifting and caters to a variety of industries Beaming in on safety       Mercedes unveils truck featuring a battery of sensor systems that could cut road accidents Hydromounts - for a smoother, quieter ride       Ulf Wiman touches upon the technology that goes into engine mounts Fuel cell police car        Outfitted with a third-generation police radio, decals, lights and sirens, the Wayne State University Police Department F-Cell is a look into the future use of fuel cell vehicles Cheaper, lighter and healthier seats       Group Lotus has introduced a completely new style of seating for the new Elise and Exile Wet paint from Toyota       Toyota Motor Corp. has introduced a water-based metallic paint free of harmful solvents. One touch adjustable steering column from Delphi       Delphi has developed an adjustable steering column mechanism that does away with the need for cumbersome manual adjustment Airing the automotive industry       Atlas Copco has come up with the GX range of compressors from 3-15 HP Audi R10 TDI, the first diesel powered car to win the Le Mans       German carmaker Audi created history by winning the Le Mans 24-Hours race employing a diesel powered car Dana expands tyre management portfolio       Dana and SmarTyre join hands to launch new tyre pressure monitoring systems Pneumatic trends in the automobile industry       Specialising in pneumatics, Festo Controls could be your route to automation Siemens VDO's two-in-one glow plug pressure sensor       Siemens VDO teams up with Federal Mogul to develop a powertrain sensor Synventive extends product range       Synventive Molding Solutions has expanded its product range to cater to changing needs of the market; this includes new nozzles New anti-theft system for satellite navigation from Ford       Theft of satellite-navigation is increasing in the UK, and Ford has launched an anti-theft system to curb the menace. High-impact DuPont Zytel SST protects Continental’s ESC sensor cluster       Tier supplier Continental chose Du Pont as it went to work on a new ESC system. Innovative direct petrol injection       The Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI premiered with an innovative direct petrol injection recently. "Electric Orange" electrifies manufacturers and customers       BASF and Ford worked closely to develop the electric orange for Focus ST. Contactless magnetisation for engine tappets       How Pune-based Ferrochem designed a customised system for specific application Virtual product development techniques applied to powertrain acoustics       FEV motorentechnik is using virtual development methods for the NVH optimisation of powertrains. A new dimension of navigation       Tier auto supplier, Siemens VDO, is taking automotive navigation to a new dimension. Next generation refrigerants from Du Pont       DuPont Fluorochemicals has identified new proprietary refrigerants that will meet European Union (EU) requirements. Heat shield for Mercedes       Heat shield made by using DuPont Zytel HTN is employed in Mercedes Diesel. Laser ignition for combustion development       AVL List GmbH (Graz) and CTR AG (Villach) have developed a second-generation laser that is smaller and more compact. Hydrogen direct-injection looks promising       Honda may employ fuel cell technology where electricity generated from a hydrogen-oxygen chemical reaction powers the vehicle; Ford and BMW have invested in hydrogen direct injection technology to power their vehicles. Siemens VDO takes the direct route to injection       Gasoline direct injection strategy from Siemens VDO helps engines meet emission targets without sacrificing horsepower. Interview with Peter K Chacko       "We want to bring to Indians the best of the world.", says the CEO of Pete`s Performance Products Sealing the fate of lamps       Uptodate Plastics and Packagings specialises in hotmelt adhesives FAW and PTC combine to dial-in higher efficiency       PTC PLM solutions adopted to increase product design efficiency and shorten development time Smaller, lighter and less expensive front-end module       Denso has developed a smaller, lighter and less expensive front-end module for the "i"-Mitsubishi's Light Vehicle. Innovative silicone solutions for airbag safety       Dow Corning expert presents innovative silicone solutions for airbag safety at AORC. CFD comes of age       Advantage CFD and Aston Martin employed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to come up with a winning design. Trends in automotive wireless applications       Electronic content in an automobile is approximately 40 per cent today and increasing with growing wireless applications. Next generation HUDs from Siemens VDO Automotive       Tier 1 supplier, Siemens VDO has come up with HUDs that fit all, from sedans to compact cars UGS automotive supplier seminar       UGS conducted automotive supplier seminar series in India recently, to drive innovation and highlight benefits of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). SJS Enterprises and Serigraph enter a JV       SJS Enterprises and Serigraph Inc. entered into a joint venture agreement recently. Ashok Leyland plans new array this year       Charting growth plans of Ashok Leyland, its Managing Director, Mr Seshasayee said the company would launch a slew of vehicles this year Aluminium cylinder crankcase for V6 diesel engines from DaimlerChrysler       Employed in the E320 CDI, the V6 common-rail diesel motor employs an aluminium crankcase is and built at the state-of-the-art facility in Berlin. “Multifire” multiple frequency ultrasonic systems       Why agree for single ultrasonic frequency when multiple frequency option is now available, asks Paresh Shah Entrance automation systems       Gandhi Entrance Automations specialises in entrance automation systems. Driverless Touareg       The driverless Touareg developed by Volkswagen and Stanford University is pioneering a move towards driverless vehicles of tomorrow. Small wonder from RCV       RCV Engines has developed a small engine that adapts technology from model plane engines. Emission missionary, Dr Haren Gandhi       Dr Gandhi has been involved in a joint project with the Automotive Research Institute of India to reduce emissions from Indian vehicles, thereby promoting environmental protection. Bionics - inspired by nature       Engineers and designers are thinking bionics for automotive applications. Many are acknowledging the fact that the most successful developer in the world is nature itself. Consortium for vehicle-to-vehicle communications       In order to improve driving safety, traffic organisation and easy hotspot connections, six European car manufacturers founded the Car2Car Communication Consortium. Intelligent night vision system       Honda has introduced a sophisticated intelligent night vision system on the Legend. Clear paint from Nissan       Nissan has become the first auto manufacturer to develop clear paint that repairs scratches. “Blue&Me” innovative automotive telematic solution from Fiat       Fiat Auto and Microsoft strategic partnership will help Fiat vehicles feature innovative telematic solutions. New bypass valve for crankcase ventilation       To counter the tricky part of pressure management in the crankcase, supplier Mann+Hummel has developed a new bypass valve. Flexible shafts       As design requirements go up, new solutions become a ne-cessity. Suddenly, "how" turns into an important statement and indisputably so when the word "how" involves comfort, safety, and cost. The demand for comfort and safety has pushed the whole industry to research new innovative solutions for reasonable prices. Modular concept for hybrid drives       Siemens VDO Automotive has come out with a modular concept for hybrid drives. Electro-pneumatic airboxes from Kuhnke       Thyssenkrupp Body Stampings slashed time spent on installing Honda deploys LMS Virtual Lab       Honda is implementing LMS Virtual.Lab to further optimise Honda’s capabilities to develop high-quality vehicles Smooth ride the semi-active suspension       Delphi’s magneride semi-active suspension is based on magnets-rhcological fluid technology Integrating automotive sensors       The new DRS MM3 range of sensors from Bosch measure angular velocity and acceleration of the vehicle, and offer greater freedom of application due to the flexible design of the sensor cluster. Visteon advanced front lighting brightens the way for 2006 Cadillac XLR       Visteon and General Motors collaborate to develop a revolutionary lighting system for the XLR Roadster World’s first telephone tyre       Italian tyre manufacturer, Pirelli, has introduced a telephone tyre. New sensor improves air quality       With air pollution control becoming increasingly important around the world and US in particular, stringent emission reduction laws demand high technical specifications. Hotmelt dispenser       Mahisa Electronics specialises in the manufacture of hot melt dispensers. Rinspeed and Bayer engineer zaZen       To be showcased at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Rinspeed and Bayer have jointly developed the zaZen concept car. Advanced Safety Vehicle 3 from Nissan       Nissan has developed a new advanced safety vehicle in a bid to make cars safer. MAN commercial vehicles implements AutoForm software       MAN Commercial Vehicles Group has chosen AutoForm software for sheet metal forming optimisation in its Gustavsburg plant Specialist plastics for automotive bearing applications       Plastic bearings are finding greater application in automobiles, says R S Holmes Devendra unveils fuel test bench       Devendra Exports has joined hands with Hartridge to offer testing systems for common rail and EUI/EUP systems. ELV directive for automobile and ancillary industries       With European Union ELV Directive coming into effect from July 2003, automobiles and automotive parts cannot be exported to European Union unless the content of heavy elements are within allowable limits. We look at China as an opportunity       Interview with Kirit Gala, Managing Director, Gala Precision Technology Limited IT outsourcing has evolved, and the auto sector is benefiting from the same       Interview with Rohit Bidappa, Marketing Manger, Parametric Technology (India) Pvt Ltd Nissan selects UGS NX Software CAD System for next-gen new vehicles       UGS Corp., has been chosen by Nissan to be the provider of the new global PLM system that Nissan and Nissan affiliates will deploy to design and build its next generation of vehicles Allen-Bradley GuardLogix combines standard and safety control functionality       Integrated safety control system from Rockwell Automation results in lower-cost implementations and increased manufacturing productivity. LGF tool case study       Glass fibres in plastics help engineer high stiffness for applications such as brake fluid containers. Robotic waterjet cutting       Robotic waterjet cutting is fast becoming the word of preference in the auto industry LabView 8 is here       National Instruments launched LabView 8 to enhance the capabilities of the LabView graphical development platform. Quadrasonic Array from Quadrascan Technologies       Quadrascan Technologies, headquartered in Brentwood, Tennesse, US, has introduced Quadrasonic Array technology system that uses ultrasound to detect water and wind noise intrusion in a sealed compartment. Advantage Plastic       Plastic bearing manufacturer igus is taking plastic bearing applications in newer and more challenging areas where lubrication and heat are quite often the formidable enemies. Yong Chuen, Country Manager, South Asia, QAD Asia Limited       Qad provides enterprise solutions for manufacturers that enable lean manufacturing and collaboration across the supply chain. Electronic assistants for safety       German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN is actively involved in the Invent Initiative Light materials for lighter fuel bills       GE is helping drivers save money at the pump with innovative high-tech materials for improved fuel efficiency. Magneti Marelli & Siemens VDO co-operate to develop injection systems       Tier suppliers Magneti Marelli and Siemens VDO are jointly developing injection systems. Revolutionary hybrids from Mercedes       Using the new S-Class as an example, Mercedes unveiled the "Direct Hybrid" and "Bluetec Hybrid" concepts at the 2005 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Invisible antennas       Antennas are fast transforming into invisible yet highly efficient devices that provide much better reception than the conventional antenna ever could. Exploring film coating process       Plastic parts coated with paint films may not be new, but are continuing to present new production technologies and manufacturing process. Renault's NVH Centre       Renault installs state-of-the-art NVH facility for acoustic treatment of powertrains. Cyber cars, a reality       LED device and short-range optical sensors could accelerate cyber cars to reality. New steel piston for heavy-duty engines       Monotherm pistons from Mahle are superior to conventional Ferrotherm pistons in heavy duty applications. Homogeneity and HCCI combustion       HCCI technology may aid to meet future regulations including the 2010 US EPA reputations. Pokayoke sensing for colour       By using programmable sensors to automate the colour matching process, a Tier One supplier of automotive carpet sets was able to boost quality and productivity, says Kenneth Pinto. Three technical routes to higher powder-metal performance       Providing high-performance solutions for parts in automotive applications can unlock a huge potential market for powder components. Vision leads the way in HVAC development       Vision leads the way in HVAC development is a most important aspect lead by the government of india in the recent days Designing flexible shafts       Jost’s Engineering offers Bullows 630, the finest top feed spray gun in the country. The 630 spray gun is the first choice among top feed spray guns, arugged spray gun, unmatched in producing top quality Bus Safety       International Industries Springs manufactures serrated safety washers that are ready to fit washers to sustain pre-load and avoid loosening. When the screw, bolt or nut is tightened, the serrations