Jump to content

Acura's new welding technology to join steel and aluminium

Acura's new welding technology to join steel and aluminium

FaezClutchless

970 views

monthly_02_2013/blogentry-98301-1361691217.jpg

blogentry-104226-1361758630_thumb.jpg

The usage of aluminium on cars has been rather rife lately. Benefits of using the lightweight material are downright obvious. It does not only reduce the vehicle's weight which offers better fuel economy, but it also improves the vehicle's dynamics.

 

blogentry-104226-1361758640_thumb.jpg

Engineers at Acura (Honda's luxury vehicle division) have come up with a new way of joining steel and aluminium. This new method is said to be a much simpler process compared to traditional methods.

 

The essential part of this new method is the "3D Lock Seam" structure. The steel and aluminium parts are layered and hemmed together twice and this prevents them from detaching. The new method also uses a special adhesive that completely fills any gaps which will prevent from any corrosion.

blogentry-104226-1361758651_thumb.jpg

Acura has started using this new method on its 2014 RLX model (pictured above) which features aluminium panels welded to steel parts. This has helped to reduce around 17 percent of weight per door, compared to traditional welding methods.

 

Weight reduction on the outer part of the vehicle brings the point of gravity closer towards the centre of the vehicle which improves stability. The new method also reduces the need for spot welding processes.

 

This new joining process will eventually be used onto other models, including those in Honda's line-up.

 

Image credit: Honda/Acura




0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Carpark Review: Junction 8

    Built in the 1980s, Bishan (or Bishan New Town) may not be one of the earliest housing estates in Singapore, but it was the first whose HDB architecture saw a departure from the more brutalist designs of the past and featured more variation in height and design.  Residents are primarily served by Junction 8, which opened in 1993. Now more than 30 years old, it remains the sole mall in the Bishan East area. Driving there? Here’s our quick review of the carpark.  Manoeuvrability: T

    bobthemob

    bobthemob

×
×
  • Create New...