The electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid market is growing fast and suppliers to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are having to adapt their product ranges to keep up.
One of the new demands is aluminium components, which offer reduced weight. For this very reason, UK-based Mark Aluminium Die Casting (MADC) has recently invested in a new 600-tonne casting machine to produce high pressure aluminium die-cast bodies for oil pumps and water pumps - specifically designed for the next generation of green vehicles.
EV and hybrid vehicles utilise batteries as part of the floorplan (in EVs, this replaces the internal combustion engine entirely), which means that green vehicle packaging is completely different. Batteries and associated motors are heavy, so to offset the weight, in most cases OEMs are utilising an increased quantity of aluminium compared to traditional steel components to achieve this. Reduced weight equals improved vehicle range and performance, all desirable attributes in an electrified vehicle. Thus, demand for aluminium components is rising as OEMs move to utilise more of it in their new green vehicle designs.
MADC has therefore added to its capacity in India with a new casting machine. The new unit complements an existing 1,100 tonne die casting machine, offering the required capacity to mass produce components to support high-volume vehicle manufacturing.
The business already offers a proven track record in designing and supplying cast aluminium parts, with its castings utilised in the PROFLOW range of automotive water pumps, which deliver OEM levels of performance. PROFLOW water pumps are preferred by Aston Martin, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo.
“Sales of EV’s and hybrids are growing exponentially, and will continue to do so as petrol and diesel cars are slowly phased out. As a supplier to OEMs and the automotive aftermarket, we must be able to provide high-quality aluminium castings to support this market shift while delivering quantities required to support just-in-time (JIT) production operations. This new investment will allow us to keep pace with this growth in aluminium demand. In addition, we will be taking delivery of two more even larger high-pressure die-casting machines as well as two new similar capacity YIZUMI machines to offer even greater future capacity. One of each will be operational by the end of this financial year, with the next set coming online the following year,” adds David Lewis, Plant Manager at MADC.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
