
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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Rexam, a leading global can maker, has partnered with German beer company Denninghoffs, owner of the brand Hofjäger, to can its Schwarzbier and Weizenbier ranges. The new canned format will launch for the first time in China in May 2016 before being rolled out globally. The iconic aluminium beverage cans use Rexam’s high definition printing to bring to life an image of a traditional Bavarian hunter, set against dark and tan backgrounds to reflect the character of the beers. Speaking about the project, Thomas Kühn, CEO of Denninghoffs GmbH, says, “There is huge demand for German beer in China, which is why we decided to launch in this market first. To mark the occasion, we wanted to innovate and moving to can seemed the perfect option. The design agency, Laut & Schoen, created the design...

HTC has finally unveiled the much awaited HTC 10 and HTC 10 Lifestyle in India. The company has also unveiled five more devices- The HTC 10 Lifestyle, the new HTC Desire 628, HTC Desire 630 HTC One X9 dual-SIM, HTC Desire 825, and HTC Desire 830, along with the flagship. HTC 10 boasts a 5.2-inch QHD SLCD panel, It comes with an all-aluminium unibody, as seen on every HTC flagship, however this time the chamfered edges to all the way to the back, giving a much premium feel. Under the hood, the device is rocking a Snapdragon 820 SoC. paired with 4GB of RAM. The device comes with 32GB and 64GB storage options, with microSD expandability up to 200GB. For optics, the device features a 12MP (Ultra pixel) rear camera, along with a wide-angle 5MP selfie camera. The device is running Android 6.0...

A key element of the UK government’s Construction 2025 strategy is to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment by 50 per cent by 2025. At the same time, it aims to lower costs by 33 per cent, both in the initial construction and over the whole life of built assets. As heating consumes by far the greatest proportion of household energy use, reducing this is one of the most efficient ways to improve buildings’ energy performance. Data from the European Aluminium Association estimates that 40 per cent of the heating energy lost from homes escapes from windows or the gaps around windows. Innovative and high-performance window design is therefore fundamental in reducing the amount of energy used in both the construction and operation of buildings, new and old. UBM Information...

Larson Electronics, a global manufacturer in the field of innovative electronic products has come up with an 112 watt LED light which is not only industrial grade with its low power consumption and water resistance but fully explosion proof as well. The new product, named EPL-HB-11K-LED, is a Class 1 Division 2, Class 2, and Class 3 light. It is simultaneously safe to be used in areas with flammable gases/vapors, combustible dust or in hazardous areas with easily ignitable fibers. Capable of an output of 10,997 lumens of light, this high-quality innovative design is comprised of a powder coated copper free aluminium body for high strength and durability. The lightweight, highly aesthetic compact design specifically designed for 60,000 hours of lifespan with cutting edge heat dissipation...

All cars need to lose weight to reduce emissions in safe, reliable ways. This applies to e-cars in particular, due to their heavy battery components. The interdisciplinary “Light E-Body” project of Hydro has investigated several options to reduce car body weight from the 314 kg of a conservative concept in full steel. That project agreed on a multi-material concept with a 248 kg body. Going beyond, Hydro and fka developed a full-aluminium car body that meets the benchmark on safety and stiffness, while reducing the weight to just 199 kg. Further potential lies in lighter aluminium doors, hoods and lids, saving another 37.5 kg – and additional, secondary weight reduction is not even yet considered. The concept developers highlight the similar performance in crash simulation of the...

CannaKorp, a start-up based in Stoneham, Massachusetts, is preparing to put a single-use pod-based marijuana vapourizer on the market. Just as the coffee company vertically integrated its distribution system, CannaKorp will produce the vaporizer and partner with legally authorized growers to fill the pods. Each CannaCup contains between 0.25 grams and 0.4 grams of ground cannabis flower and will cost about $5 or $6, depending on the strain. Once the pod is inserted, the vaporizer, called a CannaCloud, heats the marijuana without burning it. Within one minute, the portable canister fills up with vapour, which users can then inhale. The prescribed dose of marijuana is recommended by doctors for the treatment of anxiety related disorders. The company has opted for aluminium pods, making the...

Auto makers are still ordering aluminium for their cars, but not as much as hoped, the chief executive of one of the world’s top aluminium companies said in an interview. “The market got a little bit ahead of itself,” said Steve Fisher, who last year took over as CEO of Novelis, maker of over half the world’s automotive sheet aluminium. The announcement by Ford Motor Co. a couple of years ago that it would make its best-selling F-150 out of the metal had aluminium executives salivating and predicting an avalanche of new orders. But as steelmakers countered with new lightweight steels and lower oil prices lessened the push for lighter cars, auto makers have been hesitant to convert more vehicles to aluminium, and the metal is still niche compared with steel. Instead, said Mr. Fisher,...

Established in 1917, LEONI AG is a global supplier of wires, optical fibers, cables, cable systems and related services for the automotive industry. Based in Nuremberg, Germany, the company operates 24 manufacturing facilities worldwide, and its product offerings range from single-core automotive cables to complete wiring systems. Traditional ultrasonic welding has been performed at select LEONI plants for a few years. However, torsional ultrasonic welding (TUW) is only done at one plant, located in Arad, Romania. There LEONI has been operating a fully automated cell for welding solid aluminium bus bars since early 2014. British automaker Jaguar uses the bus bars, instead of copper cables, to significantly reduce the weight and cost of its F-TYPE sports car. Each bus bar conducts...

Snap lock aluminium roofing panels from ZC Technical were selected by the architect, Jared Poole Design for the Paradise Waters Residence project. The client, who was provided with several roofing options, worked with the architect to select the best fit for the residence. ZC Technical’s high quality snap lock panels were finalised based on the outstanding aesthetics of the roofing solution. The client was also particular about selecting only those materials that met extremely high quality standards. ZC Technical provided a custom roofing solution, working with aluminium to create the 1200m² roof complete with gutter and downpipes to achieve the desired finish expected by the client. The panels were chosen in a matt grey finish to keep the palette neutral, fully complementing the...

CORSAIR, a world leader in enthusiast memory, PC components and high-performance gaming hardware today announced the release of its eagerly anticipated BULLDOG 4K living room PC kit and anodized-aluminium built LAPDOG portable gaming control center. BULLDOG compresses high-end desktop PC performance into a form factor fit for living room experience, supporting liquid cooling for both the processor and graphics card to deliver true 4K performance. LAPDOG is the perfect companion for BULLDOG, elevating precision desktop peripherals to an un-matched comfort level. Together, BULLDOG and LAPDOG deliver the un-rivalled 4K PC Gaming experience for next-generation gamers. Built from anodized, brushed aluminium LAPDOG feels as good as it looks, and with a huge removable memory foam lap cushion is...

A joint project by America’s SERA Architects and Cutler Anderson Architects in association has earned the nation’s highest accolade for sustainability in the built environment, thanks to the use of aluminium reflecting panels and other "green" components and technologies. The architects’ renovation of The Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt Federal Building (EGWW) in Portland, Oregon received the 2016 Top Ten Plus award from the American Institute of Architects, ahead of 10 other exemplar sustainable projects listed on the AIA’s annual ‘Top Ten’ list. The EGWW was a Top Ten award winner back in 2014 but has since improved its ecological footprint through a process of post occupancy studies and refinement of its technologies and performance. The AIA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE), who...

Electrical engineering group Reunert raised its interim dividend 8 per cent to R1.13, despite flat revenue and a small drop in aftertax profit. Reunert’s revenue grew 2 per cent to R4bn during the six months to end-March, it was noted in Reunert’s interim results statement on Tuesday. Aftertax profit fell 5 per cent to R453m. Increased demand for aluminium rather than copper cables resulted in the revenue of its electrical engineering division falling 7 per cent to R2bn, CEO Alan Dickson said in the results statement. This division was also hurt by delays in awarding key projects, which are now expected to materialise in the second half of its financial year. Revenue in Reunert’s information and communications technology division fell 1 per cent to R1.7bn, but operating profit grew 2 per...

Hyderabad-based Smartron is a startup with big ambitions. They have plans to built an ecosystem of products and IoT services for the global market. Their first product is the t.book a Windows 10 hybrid device. This new device breaks the mould and packs a punch while doing it. The chassis is a Magnesium-Aluminium alloy with a smooth sandblasted finish that resists fingerprints. The tablet section is a uniform thickness of 9.5mm. Up front is the high resolution 12.2-inch display the display glass stretches beyond the display on all four sides, giving the impression of a larger display when switched off. The only other things in front are the capacitive Windows logo/button, a pair of front facing speakers and front camera (flanked by a couple of microphones). The right side only holds the...

The all-new Peugeot 3008 crossover delivers total versatility and brings together upscale comfort and technological equipment. This is the first car done from start to finish on lightweight EMP2 platform and new generation engines. The SUV, decked with suave interiors and technology features, has been delivering high customer value ever since it has been launched by virtue of its being lightweight. Maxime Picat, Peugeot boss says, “The first 3008 was caught between a car and a crossover. The new one has decided which way to go.” So it has come over a lot more assertive and countrified, with more ground clearance and a bolder front. Surrounding the screens are well-turned-out materials – real aluminium for the switchgear under the screen, cloth on the dash, stitched door armrests,...

The global flexible packaging market by material (plastic film, paper, aluminium), printing technology, type, and application is projected to grow from USD 97.97 billion in 2016 to USD 125.66 billion by 2021, at an estimated CAGR of 5.11 per cent, revealed data in a recently published market research report. This growth, according to the study, is due to the increasing demand from various end user industries such as food & beverages, healthcare, cosmetics & toiletries, and others (oil & lubricants, household products, agricultural products, and sporting goods). Factors such as growing consumer preferences towards convenient packaging (like aluminium foils, boxes, cans etc.) ease of use, and its lightweight characteristic is driving the demand for flexible packaging. Manufacturers are...

After years of stagnation, there seems a revival of the construction and housing services sub-sectors in Pakistan. These two sectors reflect the level of development in a country. Construction from the perspective of GDP, broadly speaking, deals with civil engineering work, consisting of new buildings, roads, bridges, railway lines, transmission lines, dams, etc. The share of construction sector is around 2.5 per cent in the GDP statistics and this share seems understated as the last housing census was conducted in 1998. Similarly, the housing services sector is composed of owner-occupied housing, residential and non-residential real estate, cooperative and private housing societies, contributing around 6.75 per cent to the GDP. Both sub-sectors contribute more than 9 per cent to the GDP...

Airbus, the global leader in civil aircraft manufacturing, has made a decidedly different kind of vehicle: a 3D printed motorcycl with a frame made from melted minuscule aluminium alloy particles. Created by Airbus subsidiary APWorks, the vehicle weighs in at just 35kg and is powered by a six kilowatt electric engine that helps it go from zero to 80km/h in a few seconds. The frame itself has been made using a “selective 3D laser printing system” that melted minuscule aluminium alloy particles together. The end product is a series of parts made up of a lot of 60-microns thin layers. APWorks used an algorithm to develop the Light Rider’s optimised structure to keep weight at a minimum while ensuring the motorcycle’s frame was strong enough to handle the weight loads and stresses of everyday...

According to a recently published market research report, the global aluminium foil packaging market is expected to witness a steady stable growth over 2015 - 2023. Increase in both, demand and consumption of consumer goods is expected to drive growth of the market for aluminium foil packaging in the emerging economies. China is expected to account for nearly half of the overall market share in the coming years. The global aluminium foil packaging market is expected to expand within a range of low to moderate CAGR in the coming years. Projected increase in the demand and consumption of consumer goods in emerging countries, such as China, is expected to drive growth of the aluminium foil packaging market over the forecast period, data published in the report indicates. Rise in the...