JSP ARPRO expanded polypropylene offers simple solution to improve in-vehicle perceived quality

JSP, the leading supplier of ARPRO expanded polypropylene (EPP), has developed a specific anti-squeak formulation for car interiors. JSP was approached by specialist moulder Febra to provide an innovative solution to noise vibration and harshness (NVH) issues and after concerted development work, was able to offer a variant with a non-slip additive that reduces noise.

Automotive and aerospace company recognised by academic institution for innovation in technology

Leading innovation company Zeroshift has picked up two wins at the recent Bright Sparc Awards, held at Cranfield University to recognise the achievements of technology-led businesses in the region. Managing director Bill Martin won ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and the company claimed the ‘Bright Sparc Award 2008’, the overall award for technology-led innovation.

Motorsport, aerospace and military applications to benefit from the opportunity to prevent composite delamination 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. Believed to be the only product of its type available commercially, the process is so effective it allows composites to function in temperatures above their melting point; testing for a typical application gave a reduction in composite surface temperature of more than 125ºC. The new process, for which a patent application has been filed, offers the opportunity to “engineer” the coating to suit specific customer requirements, adjusting the coating properties both through-thickness and across the surface of a component to cope with “hot spots” and differing forms of heat transfer such as radiant, conductive or convective heating. This new coating allows significant thermal protection with only minimal weight gain. 

Hall 4 Stand E17 – SBAC Pavilion

Farnborough International Airshow 2008 to showcase next-generation Intelligent Tool Control Solution with modular construction to support in-house maintenance

Zeroshift will be demonstrating the second generation of its revolutionary Intelligent Tool Control (ITC) product this year's Farnborough Airshow. Driven by customer feedback, the control architecture – now available in a separate slot-in module – will allow users to schedule maintenance without removing the entire tool cabinet from the production environment.

New technologies and expertise adds to capability of DCT specialist

Driveline control specialist Vocis is preparing for substantially higher levels of systems integration by introducing new technologies and expertise alongside its core Dual Clutch control systems capability. Several of these technologies were shown for the first time at the 2008 SAE World Congress in Detroit.

The annual client survey by emergency automotive logistics specialist Evolution Time Critical has highlighted a noticeable shift in the issues affecting European logistical operations. The results reflect the way the automotive market is evolving as managing director Brad Brennan explains

"It is a well known fact that to offer a really effective service, you have to take a lead from the market you serve," Brennan explains. "Last year, our annual survey of emergency logistics issues in the European automotive industry indicated a few interesting facts. Due to the inherent complexity of automotive manufacturing processes, it was no surprise that production delays accounted for more than a fifth of the calls for emergency logistics.

SAE World Congress – stand 2557

Zeroshift, which launched the award-winning second generation of its revolutionary automatic gearbox technology last year, has moved into the next phase of development with two new actuator systems and a new industry standard control system aimed at making integration of the high-efficiency transmission as simple as possible.

Warwick, UK. Diesel+, Delphi’s fuel system cleaner, has been approved for use by the British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) for teams competing in the 2008 Delphi British Truck Racing Championship. The additive contains a number of key elements to enhance the fuel’s ability to clean, protect and restore, thereby improving engine efficiency and reducing emissions.

Fastest ever assessment programme minimises cost and downtime

New test systems have been introduced by Millbrook to help fleets ensure compliance with the recently introduced Whole Body Vibration directive. Using new processes and new test technologies, Millbrook is able to halve the time typically required for the procedure, substantially reducing costs and keeping vehicles on the road.

More than 100 of the latest cargo trucks to be used by British military forces around the world have set sail for the Army’s training centre in Canada. The trucks are part of the £1.3B replacement Support Vehicle programme awarded to MAN trucks in 2005 which will see the supply of some 7,300 cargo and recovery vehicles. The procurement programme is being managed by the General Support Vehicles Integrated Project Team (GSV IPT) which is a through life IPT, responsible for the procurement and in-service management of heavy logistics vehicles with a payload of four tonnes and above. GSV IPT is one of eight IPTs and Groups who are participating in DVD at Millbrook this year.