Ducati has unveiled the Desmo450 SM, a new production supermoto developed from its Desmo450 MX platform, featuring an aluminium twin-spar frame. This is designed to combine low weight, rigidity and strength. The motorcycle made its debut during World Ducati Week and is aimed at competition use. The Desmo450 SM uses the same aluminium frame architecture as the motocross model. Ducati says the frame has also been designed to allow a straighter intake route while maintaining the strength and rigidity needed for high-performance riding. The bike has a fuel capacity of 7.2 litres. The company has also focused on reducing weight in other areas. Its Bartubeless wheel system, for example, removes inner tubes and cuts rotating and unsprung mass by 1.2kg. The motorcycle also features a cast...
China’s aluminum door and window manufacturing sector includes a range of suppliers offering thermal-break systems, customized solutions, OEM/ODM production, and products for international building projects. A recent industry guide highlights Guangdong Dejiyoupin, Guangdong EEHE, Foshan CIVO, Sichuan Yazhixuan, and Sichuan Mingrenju, citing their production capabilities, product portfolios, project experience, customization services, and testing or certification coverage. The companies differ in their areas of focus. Dejiyoupin is highlighted for its production capacity and international certifications, while EEHE is noted for patents and a broad range of project solutions. CIVO focuses on factory-direct customization and climate-oriented systems, while Yazhixuan provides OEM/ODM...
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Renault Australia unveils the pricing for its new Alpine A110 which dons an all-aluminium construction. The order books of this new beauty are now open for the three variant ranges, starting at US$97,000 plus on road-costs for the entry-level Pure, US$103,500 for the up-specced Legende, and US$106,000 for the limited Australian Premiere Edition. Among many unique features like Brembo brakes, a bi-modal sports exhaust, and light-weight one-piece Sabelt bucket seats, what stand out for this car are brushed aluminium pedals and 18-inch Fuchs’ forged aluminium alloy wheels, with blue highlights. Also, its aluminium platform body that limits kerb weight to 1080 kg while providing exceptional rigidity with optimal weight distribution (44 per cent front and 56 per cent rear) deserves special...
The European Union, in retaliation to new U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminium exports is planning tariffs on US products including bourbon, motorcycles and blue jeans worth up to 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion), as reported to the World Trade Organization. Harley-Davidson said a trade war with Europe or retaliatory tariffs would "significantly" hurt motorcycle sales. Shares of the dropped as much as 2.3% on Friday after the news had floated in the market. The popular motorcycle company's manufacturing costs have already been affected by Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. If the European increases duties on imported motorcycles and other goods, it would directly hit Harley's product sales in Europe. Harley-Davidson shipped about 19% of its products to Europe in the first...
Saudi Arabia imported US$126.8 billion worth of goods from around the world in 2017. The country’s imports of aluminium stranded wire increased in 2017. Saudi Arabia imported about 48108 tonnes of this product in 2017, an increase of 108 per cent YoY. Saudi Arabia’s imports of aluminium stranded wire which are used in overhead power transmission and distribution applications in modern residential and industrial constructions is expected to decline in 2018. Bahrain exports the largest part of aluminium stranded wire to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain exported about 42201 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire in 2017, up from 17457 tonnes in 2016. Other top exporters who have been selling aluminium stranded wire to the country include India (4400 tonnes), and China (940 tonnes) (2017 data). According to...
Norsk Hydro, one of the largest aluminium companies worldwide, has teamed up with Tom Dixon to showcase aluminium in interior and furniture design. Tom Dixon is a self-taught British designer, who is currently the Creative Director of his own brand Tom Dixon, specialised in lighting, furniture, and accessories. Tom Dixon’s new headquarters located in London houses a manufacturing workshop known as Factory, where it showcases aluminium furniture and interior decorations designed by Tom Dixon and delivered by Hydro. Hydro’s aluminium experts will host workshops at the Factory in collaboration with Tom Dixon, looking into aluminium as a material and designing and producing more sustainable products. The purpose of this workshop is to motivate people to take part in construction, fabrication,...
The US domestic aluminium finished products manufacturers such as automakers and can makers have been in real distress over the past few months on increasing volatile aluminium price range across the world. Series of events like the United States’ tariffs on imported aluminium and steel, followed by the sanctions on Rusal blew a storm to create price upheaval. In the US, the aluminium price jumped highest to 26 per cent in April and remained 12 per cent higher since January. If this price rise sustains, it could affect the prices of aluminium extrusions and rolls, which in turn, would pass on a great impact on the end-user sector with a maximum usage of aluminium, including transportation, construction, electrical and consumer goods. From February 16 to March 23, 2018, the demand for...
We have covered in our earlier news reports how China is focussing on the automotive sector for enhancing their manufacturing sector and boost consumption of aluminium and steel. EVs are going to play a very significant role in driving the automotive growth. As reported by Shanghai Metals Market, Suzhou Economic and Information Technology Commission published a notice on May 11 announcing that Suzhou city in Jiangsu province plans to promote the sale of 9,000 new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2018. The province will also build 2,245 new charging points in 2018. The promotion target was distributed to local districts including Zhangjiagang, Changshu, and Kunshan. Data from the commission shows a total of 4,561 NEVs and 2,259 charging points in Suzhou were submitted for provincial subsidies....
China has identified automobiles as one of the key industries in its efforts to beef up the country's manufacturing and innovation capabilities. Not only the country is encouraging domestic automakers to make world class cars, but also inviting established global car manufacturers to invest in the country to come up with world class electric vehicles. The government is planning to tackle their steel and aluminium overcapacity by quickly developing the automotive sector that are the largest consumer of the metals after the building and construction sector. The Volkswagen Group started an electric vehicle joint venture with Jianghuai Automobile called JAC Volkswagen Automotive Co. and launched mass production at a plant in the east China city of Hefei last week. JAC VW was a 50-50...
Despite procuring aluminium from sanctions-hit Rusal, a Russian automobile manufacturer Avtovaz is looking for an alternative source in case the need arises. Nicolas Maure, President of AVTOVAZ, said on Saturday, May 26, 2018, that Rusal is by far its largest aluminium supplier and “a good supplier to keep”. On April 6, the USA imposed sanctions on Rusal, preventing customers with U.S. exposure from continuing to buy Rusal’s aluminium. The United States later extended the sanctions deadline from June 5 to October 23, 2018. Maure commented: "We have about 30 export markets and we do not see any risks [for vehicle supplies to them] as none of them have close ties in the United States. But there are suppliers who could be affected by sanctions, for example Rusal.” "Rusal is a good supplier...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, is proud to announce that its Casthouse has successfully achieved the Automotive Quality Management System - IATF 16949: 2016 Standard, one of the most challenging and demanding standards in the Management System Certification for the automotive sector in the world. With this endorsement, Alba has become the first and only IATF 16949 certified organisation in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer Khalid Abdul Latif, Director of Casthouse Abdul Rasool Ahmed A. Rasool and Manager Casthouse Operations Hussain Al-Malali were presented with the certificate in early May 2018 in Dubai. Commenting on this achievement, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said: “The IATF-16949 quality...
Amidst prevailing tensions due to the United States imported aluminium and steel tariffs, Trump administration weighed slapping tariffs on imported cars on Thursday, May 24, 2018, over national security concerns. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Wednesday, May 23, that he had initiated a so-called Section 232 investigation on auto trade to determine whether the car imports were weakening the internal economy or impairing the national security of the US. He even said that this would provide him the legal rights to impose tariffs on finding US national security at risk, but certainly after consulting Donald Trump on this matter. The European Union, which had been lobbying with the US for a permanent reprieve from US imported aluminium and steel tariffs, expressed annoyance at this...
Kingfisher Windows, a manufacturer of aluminium products, has announced the addition of a new Reynaers CP 130 aluminium lift and slide doors to its existing product range in order to meet the trend for large areas of glass. The latest Reynaers CP 130 aluminium lift and slide doors offers U-Values of 2.35 W/m2K, watertightness of 750 Pa, windload resistance of 1600 Pa and airtightness of 600Pa, and complies with Burglar Resistance class 2. Image Source:www.kingfisherwindows.co.uk Deborah Beeley, Sales and Marketing Manager at Kingfisher Windows stated: “Kingfisher lift and slide doors are perfect for installers who have customers looking for an alternative to bifolds. The doors can offer up to nine metre spans of glass and heights up to 2700mm, which means they are suitable for almost all...
China’s Ministry of Finance declared on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, that the country is going to slash tariffs on most imported cars to 15 per cent, with effect from July 1, 2018. This will include the current 25 per cent tariff levied on 135 items and 20 per cent on four items, down 40 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. This announcement came in soon after China’s Vice Premiere Liu He and US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin led negotiations ended with a mutual agreement to withdraw a trade war. Import tariffs on 79 auto parts, including car bumpers, doors, and seat belts will also be reduced to 6 per cent from the current level of 8 to 25 per cent. The average tariffs on vehicles, after the cut, will stand at 13.8 per cent and 6 per cent on car parts. According to the ministry, slashing...
In comments filed with the Department of Commerce regarding the recently implemented tariff on imported aluminum, the Beer Institute requested that the Department work with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to address potentially anticompetitive activities in the aluminum market that are driving up aluminum prices. “Just as the president has said he wants to protect American manufacturers, investigating the possible manipulation of our nation’s aluminum market will guarantee America’s more than 5,000 active breweries have greater predictability when purchasing aluminum to package their beer,” said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. “We hope that the administration will do everything in its power to defend the more than 2.2 million American jobs...
Lian Li has recently launched Bora Lite RGB fans which are similar to the original Bora RGB family. The only exception is that the new fans are housed in CNC milled aluminium frames instead of plastic. "The Bora Lite 120's most iconic feature is its aluminium frame. The CNC milled frame adds a touch of modern, industrial feel whilst also improving the overall look of the case fans thanks to its metallic and reflective properties," Lian Li says. RGB Bora Lite 120 fans are available in two versions – RGB Bora Lite 120-3A S and RGB Bora Lite 120-3B. Both of them use aluminium frames of two different colours - black and silver to lend a distinctive premium look. The fans are rated to work at a speed range of 900 to 1500RPM with airflow of 45-50CFM. While the minimum expected noise from these...
The UAE-based world’s leading manufacturer of copper and aluminium wire and cable products, Ducab, has broken ground on its new global headquarter at Jebel Ali free zone in Dubai. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by leading Ducab officials including Chairman Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, the Vice Chairman Dr. Ahmad bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Board Member Mabkhoot Al Menhali, and Managing Director Andrew Shaw. The new Ducab headquarter will be a three-storied building with a total built-up area of 4,053 square metres and a roof deck garden, the company revealed. The company also revealed that the headquarter is designed to be environmentally responsive and built to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold Certification when completed in 2019. The ground-breaking...
The increased demand for aluminium pipes and tubes from emerging economies such as China and India is estimated to drive the growth of this product in the Europe region. The expenditure in building, construction and transportation sectors is driving the demand for aluminium tubes and pipes worldwide. France imported about 20226 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes in 2017. The figure represented an increase from the previous year’s import volume when it reached 19526 tonnes. The country’s imports of aluminium tubes and pipes have been increasing in the last three years. Italy Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Spain are the top suppliers of aluminium tubes and pipes to the country. According to recent estimates, in the first quarter of 2018, France’s aluminium tubes and pipes import reached an...
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a leading manufacturer of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors), announced the launch of a new series of miniature snap-in power aluminium electrolytic capacitors for power supplies, solar inverters, and industrial motor controls. Image Source:www.vishay.com The Vishay BCcomponents 259 PHM-SI series combines 30 per cent higher ripple current than previous-generation components. The device features a cylindrical aluminum case, insulated with a blue sleeve, with rated voltages to 500 V in 25 compact case sizes ranging from 22 mm by 25 mm to 35 mm by 60 mm. The RoHS-compliant capacitors are also available with 3-pin keyed polarity snap-in terminals. With...
As we had published the news earlier that China government had been taking sincere steps towards green car by increasing subsidies on electric vehicles, under the new subsidy rules, which took effect from February 12, 2018, to ensure that a large number of automakers in China initiate producing more electric vehicles with enhanced features on a single charge and make the EVs more affordable. This move was taken by the government so that more and more people could afford EVs and substitute gas fuel cars with them, as this, in turn, would curb the air pollution as well. The subsidy was applicable to electric vehicles that could travel with a range of 400 kilometres (249 miles) and more on a single charge, to 50,000 yuan ($7,900) from 44,000 yuan. Subsequently, the new rules came into effect...
