GASTANK Sweden AB have completed development of CNG
tanks based on HiPer-tex™ high performance fibreglass from 3B

High pressure cylinders for motor vehicles that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for their propulsion can now benefit from lightweight, cost competitive, advanced composite materials.

Thanks to the unique development of HiPer-tex™ high performance glass fibre from 3B, GASTANK Sweden AB, are now able to produce a cylinder that meets the very stringent ECE R110 regulation governing the use of type IV high pressure cylinders containing CNG for motor vehicles.

CNG has risen strongly in popularity over the last few years and more than 11 million vehicles worldwide benefit from this abundant and environmentally beneficial fuel. Currently, high pressure tanks are made of steel which are extremely heavy, adding significantly to the weight of the vehicle. Alternatively, lighter weight carbon fibre composites can be used however, component cost is often prohibitive for most vehicles.

Professor Kurt Berglund - President for GASTANK Sweden AB based in Piteå, Sweden was keen to state; "HiPer-tex™ high performance fibres enable the gap between heavy weight steel and high cost, carbon fibre composites to be bridged due to its ability to deliver a comprehensive package of properties economically. This makes lighter weight, composite CNG tanks available to a much wider range of customers. This will consequently have an extremely positive impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions as CNG continues to grow as a propulsion fuel."

Hugues Jacquemin, CEO of 3B added: "Our unique HiPer-tex™ glass formulation, delivers a high level of performance in composite parts such as Windblades, Ballistic Armor and High pressure vessels or pipes while ensuring sustainable economics. We are very pleased at 3B to partner with GASTANK Sweden AB to develop a CNG tank that can withstand immense impacts and has extremely long term durability thanks to the high mechanical, fatigue and corrosion resistant properties of HiPer-tex™."

High pressure cylinders for motor vehicles that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

CNG as fuel system is fitted to approximately 2 million cars per year with as many as 4 tanks installed per vehicle. Some OEM's offer CNG as an option, however many vehicles are retro-fitted and the use of CNG is expected to grow at 18% per year.

HiPer-tex™ high performance fibres are ideally suited to automotive applications, as well as many other industry segments, due to an increasing demand for weight reduction combined with higher performance that is economically viable for high capacity production.

For furthyer information about 3B HiPer-tex™ rovings for high pressure cylinders, and to download a brochure., view website: 3B The fibreglass Company.

The FM25V10 demonstrates automotive-grade compliance of Ramtron's 
highest density product to date - offering power-efficient, high-performance 

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR), the leading developer and supplier of ferroelectric-based low power memory and integrated semiconductor products, today announced that its FM25V10-G - a 1-Megabit (Mb), 2.0-3.6V serial F-RAM memory device - has been qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade 3 standards. This rigorous automotive-grade qualification, established by the Automotive Electronic Council's Stress Test Qualification for Integrated Circuits, expands Ramtron's portfolio of AEC-Q100 compliant memory to 15 devices, which are designed to meet the demanding requirements of the automotive market. The Grade-3 qualification ensures device operation over the automotive temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees Celsius.

The FM25V10-G is a member of Ramtron's V-Family nonvolatile F-RAM memory, which features a wide operating voltage range of 2.0 to 3.6-volts. The FM25V10-G is a 1-Mb serial SPI device that has an operating current of 3.0mA (Idd at 40MHz) in an industry standard 8-pin SOIC package. The product operates at full bus speed of 40MHz, features NoDelay™ writes, virtually unlimited read/write cycles, and low power consumption. The device is a drop-in replacement for 1-Mb serial Flash and serial EEPROM memories in automotive, industrial controls, metering, medical, military, gaming, and computing applications, among others.

"The FM25V10 demonstrates automotive-grade compliance of our highest density product to date," comments Ramtron marketing manager, Mike Peters. "Adding Grade 3 qualification to our V-Family product line allows us to offer power-efficient, high-performance nonvolatile memories to automotive customers over the entire density range of 4-kilobits to 1-megabit."

For further information, e-mail: chris.wray@ramtron.com or view website: www.ramtron.com  Refer to page 34

Hybrid car showcases latest energy
efficient technologies from The Schaeffler Group

Precision bearings and automotive engine components manufacturer The Schaeffler Group is continuing its drive towards developing greener automotive technologies by announcing its new hybrid demonstration vehicle, the Schaeffler Hybrid.

Based on the Vauxhall Corsa, this fully operational hybrid vehicle is part of an advanced development project at Schaeffler that enables practical comparisons to be made of a number of different vehicle configurations and driving conditions. As well as using a conventional volume-manufactured combustion engine, the Schaeffler Hybrid also incorporates a central electric motor and two wheel hub motors. The vehicle incorporates every Schaeffler brand, including INA, FAG, LuK, IDAM and AFT.
 
"Being able to demonstrate and compare the various concepts of conventional and electric or hybrid vehicles, as well as realistic testing, played a decisive role in implementing the Schaeffler Hybrid," says Dr. Peter Gutzmer, Member of the Executive Management Board responsible for technical development at the Schaeffler Group.
 
"Each of the various elements can be switched on or off to simulate a wide range of different driving conditions. These options range from classic operation using a combustion engine, through to parallel hybrid or serial hybrid operation, or on an electric motor-only basis."
 
The combustion engine can power the vehicle and be coupled for use as a range extender. An automated manual transmission increases the options available. The transmission incorporates Schaeffler's LuK clutch products, which are specifically matched to the requirements of hybrid vehicles. The energy store, which is a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery (400 V, 400 A), is charged using energy recovery methods, via a range extender and an external power supply (plug-in hybrid).
 
"Another important aspect of this advanced development project is the cross-functional development activities of the various Schaeffler brands, including INA, LuK, FAG, IDAM and AFT products," says Peter Gutzmer.
 
The vehicle's central unit is connected to the automated manual transmission using a toothed chain that drives the front wheels. This unit comprises a liquid-cooled, 50kW, 95Nm electric motor, which was designed and manufactured by IDAM (INA Drives & Mechatronics).
 
The wheel hub motors were also developed by Schaeffler. The motors mounted in the vehicle have an output of around 50kW each and an impressive torque output of approximately 530Nm. During the design and manufacture of these high performance components, Schaeffler was able to draw on its in-house expertise in wheel bearings and direct drive technologies. The wheel hub motors each form a compact unit that integrates a wheel bearing, drive and brake. The advantage of these drive units is the fact that they can be integrated in an existing vehicle platform without making any major changes to the vehicle architecture and offer incredibly low noise levels.
 
"The Schaeffler Hybrid will not go into volume production," says Peter Gutzmer. "Rather it serves as a vehicle of ideas. For example, with our "CO₂ncept-10%" vehicle, which is based on a Porsche Cayenne, we successfully demonstrated the advantages of reducing both the fuel consumption and emissions by reducing friction in the drive train. With the Schaeffler Hybrid, we want to demonstrate that the Schaeffler Group takes a holistic approach to mobility and offers innovative products for e-mobility solutions in its portfolio."
 
Along with the components shown in the Schaeffler Hybrid, Schaeffler's range of products tailored to the needs of hybrid vehicles and electric mobility includes hybrid clutches (used in high end hybrid SUVs), electromechanical chassis and steering components, as well as various differentials including a lightweight, space-saving differential with face spline and electric differentials.
 
For further information on Schaeffler's range of automotive bearings and other engine components, view website: www.schaeffler.co.uk  Refer to page 33

REMFORM screw reduce the cost of plastic components assembly

Remform screws from Arnold Umformtechnik GmbH & Co. reduce the overall assembly cost of plastic parts as they do not require nuts or inserts. They furthermore ensure the highest levels of assembly security, due to a specific design that creates a large difference between the forming torque and the stripping torque. The main application of REMFORM for plastic parts assembly is the automotive industry.

In contrast to other joining methods for plastic components, direct assembly with Remform screws does not require nuts or inserts to hold the components together. Remform screws form their own threads and the necessary core hole in the plastic component concerned. This automatically eliminates the need for cost-intensive processes involved in joint preparation. At the same time, the high threading speed required by the method reduces production times.

At the same time, Remform screws do not sacrifice anything when it comes to joint security. The asymmetrical thread geometry of the Remform design steers the resulting forces during the threading process in the desired direction. To improve material flow, the thread flank facing away from the head of the screw is radiused. The steep thread flank facing the head of the screw accommodates the displaced plastic and increases the thread flank overlap, which ensures high breakaway force for tension as well as torque. The large difference between the forming torque and the stripping torque provides an extra margin of safety, which is reflected in screws that are always fully tightened. Stripped threads are out of the question.

The resulting stripping torque and pull-out load, as well as the difference between the threading and stripping torques, are in some cases considerably more than 30% greater than the values with 30-degree low-angle screws.

For further information, view website: www.arnold-uk.com  Refer to page 89