
Spanish racing driverFernando Alonso has added a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to his growing collection of rare cars. Known as chassis 8.100, the car is distinguished by bespoke aluminium bodywork that required more than 20 tonnes of aluminium to produce, along with dedicated CAD programmes developed by Bugatti. Its history is equally distinctive, being produced after an original customer pushed Bugatti to create something it had initially considered too expensive. For Alonso, the automobile fits closely with an approach to luxury he outlined in 2024 about choosing manufacturers that treat individual customers differently rather than simply producing cars in larger numbers. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global...
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...
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<p>Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has become the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in the country to introduce an aluminium engine in a pick-up truck. The new 2.4 litre turbo-charged diesel engine replaces the 2.5 litre turbo-diesel in this 5th generation Triton that was introduced in 2015. The Triton from the very beginning was way ahead of its time as it came with a wide array of car-like features, such as a push-start button, Auto Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, Keyless operation, paddle shifters, and tilt and telescopic steering. <br /><br />The first generation Triton made its first appearance way back in 2008, and the latest 5th generation with an aluminium engine is probably going to be the last update before a replacement model arrives.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle;...

<p>Stanley Engineered Fastening announced the launch of “next-generation self-pierce rivets” in North America in August.<br /><br />The company presented the technology during the Global Automotive Lightweighting Material conference in August in Detroit and described the technology as “well-established in Europe,” <br /><br />The new Range Rover Sport utilizes about 3,648 Stanley SPRs. In North America, SPRs are used in the joining process for the aluminium (and steel) Ford F-150 and Cadillac CT6. These joining techniques are also equally suitable for non-luxury collision repairers as they can help OEMs in cutting weight and improving value for money.<br /><br />According to a spokeswoman for Stanley Self-pierce riveting (SPR) is:<br /><br />“a process...

<p>In a huge boost to PM Narendra Modi’s pet project ‘Make in India’ drive the Pentagon has given green signal to the US aviation behemoths Boeing and Lockheed Martin to manufacture higher-end fighter aircraft in India. The proposals which include transfer of technology and licensing offers were conveyed to the India defence minister Manohar Parrikar by the US defence secretary last week. <br /><br />The proposal, representing a huge investment includes Boeing’s offer of making F-18 twin-engine fighter and Lockheed Martin’s single-engined F-16. The estimated cost of every F-18 is around $100 million while that of F-16s is $70 million approximately. So, if the deal matures it would spell a significant leap for India’s aviation sector. And since, high-end...

<p>Lenovo announced the unveiling of its Yoga Book- the tablet computer that has brought in a whole new dimension to typing and doodling. Housed in a sturdy aluminium-magnesium case, the 9.6mm thick device features a Halo Keyboard connected to the 10.1in Full HD display via Lenovo's watch-band hinge.<br /><br />The lightweight aluminium casing has helped Lenovo keep the weight of the Yoga Book restricted to a minimal 680gram. It has an Intel Atom x5-Z8550 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. In terms of connectivity, the device functions better with a microUSB than USB-C, and there are slots for microSD and mini HDMI as well.</p> <p><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"...

<p>According to a Platts report, Toyota Motor has recently announced plans to cut its Q4 passenger car output by 10% at Japanese plants. The process will be started in Q3 itself and this has compelled Japanese aluminium alloy suppliers to reconsider their output as a large part of aluminium demand comes from the auto industry and Toyota has been the forerunner in the segment.<br /><br />Toyota Motor informed its suppliers that it plans to cut vehicle output by 5%-10% in October-December and it will be effective from July-September period. The announcement came just before its aluminium alloy tender opening for the current week.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"...

<p>Advance Fenestration (Pty) Ltd, an Edenvale-based company that manufactures and installs traditional architectural aluminium fenestration (windows and doors) and other more energy-efficient aluminium products which are suitable for modern residential and commercial applications.<br /><br />Advance Fenestration (Pty) Ltd has been announced as one of the 15 finalists to be participating in the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year competition. Out of the 213 entries this year, they were two of the lucky participants to go to the finals.<br /><br />Mr Lucas van Wyk and Mr Eben Rootman from the firm who have been innovating and upgrading their business to the needs of the hour are elated on their selection.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto;...

<p>Token launches its brand new Thread Fit, an aluminium threaded press-fit bottom bracket for bikes. The company has also developed a clever thru-axle with a unique design that requires just two rotations to secure the wheel into place. <br /><br />The Thread Fit bottom bracket comprises a pair of aluminium cups with two injection moulded surfaces made from plastic and fibreglass surfaces (a process it calls Fusion) that press against the inner surface of the bottom bracket shell that ensures a snug fit inside the frame, and eliminates play and therefore any creaking noises. <br /><br />The bearings sit inside this aluminium barrel, wrapped in plastic and fibreglass, providing a secure and solid platform for the bearings to spin freely, extending their life. The replaceable bearings...

<p>Huawei’s faster growth in the smartphone market is taking another leap with the launch of a new series of handsets called Nova that is encased in an aluminium chassis.<br /><br />The strength of this series lies not on premium features and extras but in its affordable, mid-range package with superb functionality and tough hardware. The flagship model Nova is a 5-inch handset with a Full HD screen, Snapdragon 625 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 12-megapixel camera. The fact that the device is encased in an aluminium unibody shell adds strength and class to the phone. The phone bears similarity to the Nexus 6P that Huawei built for Google.</p> <p><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"...

<p>The leading provider of industrial and embedded computer platforms and technologies Acnodes Corporations has announced the launch of its brand new 15.6-inch panel mount monitor APA9156. The 2.38" short-depth panel mount monitor with IP65 flat front bezel comes with an aluminium die-casting chassis, resistive touch screen, VGA and DVI video inputs, and a 15.6 inch LCD panel with 1366 x 768 picture resolution along with other unique features.<br /><br />APA9156 monitor is built of solid aluminium die-casting chassis with IP65 compliant flat front panel. It measures at 16.22"(W) x 10.93"(H) x 2.38"(D) and weighs 10.14 lbs only. The die-cast aluminium built of its chassis ensures the monitor is light in weight, yet durable which is a must for today’s discerning users.<br /><br /><img...

<p>Leading manufacturer of high-quality capacitors Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. (CDE) has announced that its MLSH Slimpack series of hermetically sealed aluminium electrolytic capacitors is going to have significantly higher voltage values. These one-off components featuring a true glass-to-metal seal (meant for preventing dry-out of the capacitor electrolyte) have been engineered to provide extraordinarily long life (5,000 hours) to the most demanding applications used in military and aerospace. <br /><br />With the latest line expansion, these aluminium electrolytic capacitors are now available in nine values, from 120 µF to 3,200 µF, with ratings up to 250 Vdc, said CDE in its press release. <br /><br />The new hermetic Slimpack, an offshoot of the well-established...

<p>Bang & Olufsen, manufacturer of the complete premium line of audio and video products, has launched the all-new 4K Ultra HD TV- BeoVision Horizon. Crafted in black aluminium, this sleek ‘screen for flexible living’ is built upon the Android TV™ technology platform. It features a powerful sound system and its crystal clear images can be automatically adjusted to the surrounding light conditions. <br /><br />The BeoVision Horizon is designed to cater to the lifestyle and flexibility demands of modern-day consumers. It offers total freedom in terms of placement with automatic image optimization for varying viewing conditions, and the ever evolving Android TV platform brings integrated access to the owner’s favourite content and entertainment apps.<br /><br...

<p>Triangle’s, the bike maker from Portugal, is on its way to becoming Europe's first bike manufacturer to produce aluminium bicycle and e-bike frames on an industrial scale. The robots that will be doing the welding job at the plant are scheduled for end of July arrival and production run of the first batch of aluminium bicycle and e-bike frames are planned for October this year. <br /><br />Triangle’s has set May 2018 as the targeted timeline by when its bicycle business unit named Cycling Equipments SA will go into full operation and in high gear. The Portuguese alloy frame manufacturer aims at producing half a million frames per annum from this new unit. However, there still remain many hurdles, both legal as well as technical to be crossed, before the milestone can be...

<p>Acer unveiled its new Swift series of ultra-thin and lightweight notebook PCs with all-aluminium chassis at its Global Press Conference at IFA Berlin. The new Swift series has four different models called Swift 7, Swift 5, Swift 3 and Swift 1. The new ultra-thin models feature Windows 10 and offers options for every budget and lifestyle preferences.<br /><br />“We are thrilled to announce the new Swift series, a complete ultra-thin laptop lineup with something for everyone,” said Jerry Hou, General Manager, Consumer Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Front and center is the flagship Swift 7 with an all-aluminium chassis that’s less than one centimeter thin, while still packing in performance and stamina for all-day productivity.”<br /><br /><img...

<p>Ball Corporation has published their fifth biennial sustainability report which aims at implementing science-based carbon targets along with 10 new corporate responsibility targets to be achieved by 2020. The company has already achieved two-thirds of the 22 sustainability targets that they set for 2015.<br /><br />“Sustainability has always been a part of who we are, and our team has worked hard to maintain a careful balance of our economic, environmental and social impacts over the years,” Ball’s chairman John Hayes said.<br /><br />“As a larger, more global company, being sustainable is more important than ever, and we must continue to set a high bar for ourselves and our partners,” he added.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display:...

<p>The leading Japanese car manufacturer Honda has kicked off sale of its pioneering all-aluminium sports car- Honda NSX in a new avatar, in Japan. Custom order for the New Sports eXperience is now open, with customer deliveries slated to begin in February 2017.<br /><br />The first-generation all-aluminium sports car NSX (for New Sportscar eXperimental) was on sale for the last time some eleven years back. Since then a lot of technology has been upgraded. The car still features a V6 under the rear glass hatch, but displacement has been expanded from 3.2 to 3.5 litres, and two turbochargers have been added to the DOHC engine to boost output to 500 hp at 7,500 rpm and 550 Nm from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm.<br /><br />The brand new Honda NSX comes with forged aluminium wheels, each measuring 19...

<p>UM Motorcycles is gearing up to launch its all-new 230-250cc vroom machine UM Hypersport at India Auto Expo 2018. The adventure motorbike with aluminium alloy-wheels is expected to hit the Indian roads some time by the end of 2018. <br /><br />UM Motorcycles made its first appearence at the 2016 Auto Expo thereby marking its entery in the Indian market earlier this year. The American bikemaker's current product portfolio features two cruiser offerings - Renegade Sport S and the Renegade Commando. UM reported good number of bookings for both the motorbikes, and based on the response the company is now expanding its dealership network in India. <br /><br />However, the motorcycle manufacturer does not want to restrict itself only to cruiser motorcycles and want to explore other...

<p>According to EUWID's quarterly report on the German aluminium packaging market, aluminium beverage can suppliers have had a normal summer this year. There was a seasonal upturn but that was not sustained and was far from "terribly impressive", the suppliers told EUWID. <br /><br />According to the data published in the report, the aluminium aerosol can market presented a mixed picture in August. Some manufacturers and suppliers reported good order levels in the first half of the current financial year. Business for them had been fairly satisfactory, although occasional supply bottlenecks were reported during the period under review. <br /><br />In the German market for aluminium tubes, threat of substitute was felt for the first time due to penetration of laminate tubes on a wider...

<p>Aluminium is making a mark in the gaming console industry too with the Analogue Nt which is a modern Nintendo Entertainment System cut out from a solid block of aluminium to play classic games and came to the market in 2015.<br /><br />Now Analogue is coming up with a compact, stylish and less expensive version of Analogue Nt next January. Called the Analogue Nt mini, the new version of the long-sold out hardware will be 20 percent smaller and carry a much lower price.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.alcircle.com/uploads/images/Nt-mini-NES-2.jpg" alt="News" width="512" height="307" /><br /><br />The makers of the console say that the mini version will outclass the original Analogue Nt with a better...