GENERAL NEWS
Connected steel autonomous vehicle
To advance sustainable transportation by factoring whole lifecycle into a vehicle ’ s development , WorldAutoSteel and Ricardo have designed a fully autonomous Mobilityas-a-Service ( MaaS ) steel-enabled vehicle . It is inspired by contemporary urban architecture trends and focuses on passenger safety and comfort .
Steel E-Motive , an initiative of WorldAutoSteel ( the automotive group of the World Steel Association ) and its engineering partner Ricardo , have unveiled the exterior styling vision for their fully autonomous ride-hailing , ride-sharing vehicle designed to showcase the benefits of using steel for global mobility-as-a-service .
The Steel E-Motive vehicle design has been optimised to include technologies that are deployable by 2030 and beyond and meet requirements for inner-city driving needs . The design concept comprises a compact , fourpassenger vehicle , and a version with space for more passengers and luggage for out-oftown journeys .
Cees ten Broek , Director , WorldAutoSteel , said : “ Since this programme began in November 2020 , we have continued to progress with design and engineering of this steel-intensive , ride-sharing , ride-hailing vehicle . We have focused on delivering a solution that meets the essential requirements for mass scale deployment in future mobility
applications . It is efficient in its construction , manufacture and total lifecycle emissions , as well as attractive in the landscape for which it is intended .”
Using Advanced High- Strength Steel for the design delivers aesthetic , safety , comfort and accessibility benefits . The steel is applied in a pattern that is part of the external visual design rather than being hidden behind outer panels , and the glazing on all sides of the vehicle – including the roof – offers passengers good views of the cityscape . The steel will enable the engineering team to meet mobility-as-a-service operational , safety and environment requirements : for example , its strength and formability supports a lowheight , cover-less and integrated battery case , and flat-floor interior – which also aids better accessibility .
“ A unique rocker design offers superior crush force and protection not only to the occupant but the high-voltage battery internals . Steel also delivers cost , weight and sustainability benefits over a conventional battery pack using alternative materials , while meeting all current and future anticipated safety standards and legislation . Accessibility is also at the core of the vehicle design ,” said the partners .
Two SEM1 vehicles driving side by side .
The requirement for low step-in height has driven the primary structure of the vehicle and is enabled by the battery case solution . A very wide door opening provides ample access for people and goods , while the door structure provides reduced outswing to the roadside . The Steel E-Motive vehicle design also features battery electric propulsion , Level 5 autonomy and four-wheel steering for functionality and manoeuvrability .
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. worldautosteel . org
Italy registers machine tool growth
In the fourth quarter of 2021 , the index of machine tool orders processed by UCIMU- Sistemi Per Produrre ( the Italian machine tool , robots , automation systems and ancillary products manufacturers ’ association ) showed a 49.4 % upturn versus the period October-December 2020 . The absolute value of the index was 129.1 ( base 100 in 2015 ), a record-breaking achievement .
Overseas orders increased by 29 % compared to the same period in the previous year . On the domestic front , collected orders recorded growth of 96.9 %. On a yearly basis , the order index marked a 70.1 % rise , for an absolute value of 130.4 .
“ While there was a remarkable recovery in overseas sales , which materialised into a 43.6 % increase in orders , orders in Italy ’ s domestic market grew more than exponentially ( accounting for 166.6 % more than the 2020 figure ),” added the association . All four quarters of 2021 have now outperformed the corresponding periods in 2020 .
Barbara Colombo , association president , pointed out : “ 2021 was an extremely satisfactory year for Italian machine tool manufacturers , proved by the order index movements over the 12 months . Its upturn was due , on one hand , to the partial recovery of sales abroad and , on the other hand , to the dynamism of Italian demand , which has been supported by Transition 4.0 [ Industry 4.0 ] Italian government incentives .”
However , she also highlighted that the unexpected increase in orders , combined with low availability of raw materials and electrical / electronic components as supply chains were interrupted ( especially those linked to the Far East ), is currently putting Italian manufacturers under pressure .
“ If conditions do not substantially change , machine tool manufacturers may have difficulties ensuring that machines ordered in 2021 are delivered by 30 June 2022 , the deadline by which customers can take advantage of tax benefits . For this reason , we have asked government authorities to act immediately with a sixmonth delivery time extension for machinery ordered by the end of the 2021 , postponing the deadline from 30 June 2022 to 31 December 2022 ,” cautioned Colombo , adding that this would benefit the industry which is engaged in the gradual process of digital transformation ( essential for maintaining competitiveness ).
She also flagged two further challenges for Italian manufacturers , namely rising production costs ( spurred by raw material , component and energy process rises ) and overseas COVID-19 travel restrictions ( 50 % of the sector ’ s exports are sent overseas , where machines are installed and tested ). n
ISMR March 2022 | sheetmetalplus . com | 7