8 minute read
Performance & Racing
RACING TOWARDS A 3D PRINTED CAR
Divergent Technologies is set to revolutionise vehicle production by harnessing the power of additive manufacturing
Working with SLM Solutions over several years, Divergent has developed state-of-the-art software using topology optimisation or generative design. Kevin Czinger, head of Divergent Technologies, has developed an additive manufacturing platform which is making it easier and faster to design and build new cars at a fraction of the cost, and even reduces the environmental impacts of manufacturing. Part development using a 3D printer allows the use of titanium that will reduce part weight, and aluminium to ensure part strength on sections of the vehicle that require greater reinforcement. All the parts are designed to minimise the amount of metal powder and maximise functionality and reliability. SLM Solutions has worked with Divergent to develop this innovative process of car manufacturing. The benefits can be seen not just in the comparative costs for part production but in the reduction of space and overall cost of producing a whole car. In March 2019 Kevin unveiled the extraordinary 21C in London. Hailed as a vision of the future, the car is ultra-light, compact, has a seven-speed automated sequential transmission gearbox and can achieve speeds from 0 to 300kph in 15 seconds. In October this year, the 21C Hypercar was driven around the COTA track in Los Angeles ahead of the American F1, recording the best time for an American production car lap ever set. What has been learned by Divergent Technologies along the path to revolutionise car production is now taking a much bigger step. In 2022 the factory will add to its SLM Solutions 3D metal printers, three new SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 machines that will introduce series production of the 21C to the facility in California. SLM Solutions says the NXG XII 600 is a game changer. Each system is equipped with twelve 1kW lasers, reportedly making it the fastest machine on the market capable of printing at speeds five times faster than current systems. And with a build chamber of 600 x 600 x 600 mm3 it says both large parts and groups of smaller parts can be built in a single digital step. Numerous other advancements reportedly abound in this next-generation technology with its safe powder handling system which means Divergent will be able to produce thousands of tons of complex, automotive parts and structures that will hit the road as finished cars over the next two years. If you want to find out how you can revolutionise part production at your facility, the Australian distributor in of SLM Solutions machines, Raymax Applications, invites you to contact its team. For more information, visit www.raymax.com.au
SHW PERFORMANCE COMES TO THE AFTERMARKET
TecDoc has facilitated SHW Performance’s entry into the automotive aftermarket
SHW sells more than 290 brake disc types for the high-performance segment in the independent automotive aftermarket under the SHW Performance brand. TecDoc Catalogue solutions are supporting the company in successfully launching the brand and establishing an international sales structure in the automotive aftermarket. The independent aftermarket is an important growth segment for SHW, a leading supplier of pump and engine components, powder metallurgy and brake discs. The special division SHW Brake Systems develops and manufactures high-performance brake discs. Under the SHW Performance brand it is starting to sell OE-identical brake discs for the automotive aftermarket. “We have started talking to European distribution players. Easy onboarding, data quality, product availability and on-time delivery are the key expectations from their side,” SHW Key Account Manager, Matthias Reckziegel, said. “TecDoc will help them sell, offering the ideal endto-end system for accurate part identification to match the vehicle. “With TecDoc, the onboarding of our product into distributors’ own systems is easier to manage because TecDoc enables smooth cooperation among parts manufacturers, traders and workshops. “That’s why TecDoc is a vital factor for distributors – they are no longer able to handle and manage offline suppliers.” Under the new SHW Performance brand, a product range identical to the one for OEMs is being introduced to the international IAM. SHW delivers parts for cars like the Porsche 911 GT3, BMW M models and Audi RS models, including the R8 with the wave disc that SHW developed. More than 290 brake disc types for the highperformance segment are already present in TecAlliance’s TecDoc Catalogue, which TecAlliance states is the world’s leading automotive replacement parts catalogue. “We believe that if you are not present in TecDoc, you are not present in the independent aftermarket. It is important for us to introduce our brand and product range so that our customers can easily find everything in the best possible standardised way”, Matthias said. “Thanks to TecAlliance’s onboarding training, we submitted the product data for our full range of brake discs into the TecDoc Catalogue very quickly. “Linking to the standardised product descriptions and the conversion to the TecDoc Standard went smoothly. As a result, our products can now be found by distributors and end customers in the TecDoc Solutions! “By building on TecDoc’s extensive industry knowledge and technical expertise, we can showcase our product portfolio to the entire aftermarket network (including part numbers, product and maintenance descriptions) for bestin-class visibility and sales.” For more information, visit www.tecalliance.net
TOP TEN WEEKEND FOR DAYCO MUSTANG
Tim Slade’s Mustang featured a full-car Dayco livery for the comeback to Supercars racing
Dayco Australia celebrated the long-awaited return of Supercar racing with Tim Slade’s CoolDrive Racing Ford Mustang at Sydney Motorsport Park with a full-car livery at the first of four consecutive weekends of racing at the track. The striking Dayco livery that was developed from the design of the global automotive engine and thermal management component manufacturer’s website and gained major acclaim throughout the three race, day and night event across October 29-31. The specially developed reflective matt signage wrap was provided by CARTREK, ensuring this eye catching, one-off Dayco livery was a major stand out of this event. Dayco Racing Ford Mustang driver Tim Slade qualified 10th, earning a place in the Top Ten shootout before racing strongly to earn three top ten finishes across all three hard fought races, making the Dayco entry one of only four cars in the field to do so. The four back-to-back spectacular day and night racing events will be followed by a one week long motor racing festival at Mount Panorama in early December which will include the Repco Bathurst 1000 to conclude this second consecutive pandemic affected Supercars season. According to Dayco Asia Pacific Vice President - Aftermarket, Arnold Mouw, this was a rare and exciting opportunity for Dayco to showcase the leading automotive product brand in line with the return of Australia’s most exciting motor racing category. “In sharing the desire to create a bigger impact for this return Supercars event, the Blanchard Racing Team came up with this outstanding Dayco livery. It looked great at the event and on television throughout this first of four Supercar racing weekends in Sydney,” Arnold said. “The special reflective Dayco signage and overall change to the look of the CoolDrive Mustang made this a special one-off livery that many Supercar fans liked as did our global Dayco colleagues.” Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacture and distribution of essential engine drive systems and aftermarket services for automotive, truck, construction, agriculture, and industrial applications. Dayco has more than 42 locations in 21 countries and over 3,600 associates. For more information, visit www.dayco.com
GCG met rigorous qualifying criteria to be accepted as distributor for Australia
GCG says it is excited to be announced as the Australian Distributor for the Continental turbochargers range. “Being associated with a world powerhouse brand such as Continental is a huge privilege,” GCG Turbochargers Australia Director, Brett Lloyd, said. While Continental is a new player in the global turbocharger market, GCG says it is winning significant contracts with the BMW, Ford and Volkswagen Audi Group for the OEM fitment of product to engines. GCG say it is important when producing products that are endorsed by the original manufacturer that there is a high level of care and quality of service. It says this is why it is no surprise that to become a supplier of Continental turbochargers a business must meet the standards and expectations of the vehicle manufacturer. After meeting rigorous qualifying criteria covering technical ability, aftersales service, warranty capability and local warehousing of product for immediate distribution, GCG was accepted as distributor for Australia. “Having passed strict requirements is a testament to the hard work continuously delivered by the GCG team,” Brett said. The supply of new genuine turbos for the Australian market expands opportunities for customers, providing more variety when it comes to price and accessibility. On technical development Continental uses watercooled aluminium to reduce the turbochargers weight by nearly 2kgs compared to steel turbochargers of the same size. In addition, the RAAX turbine technology improves engine response and reduces emissions by increasing efficiency. “In view of increasingly strict emissions requirements, downsizing and the need for better efficiency, more and more OEMS are not only equipping diesel engines but also gasoline engines with turbochargers,” Continental Sales Manager, Veton Isufi, said. “In the future, turbochargers will play a more and more important role.” Technical specifications
• Water-cooled aluminium turbine housing or steel turbine housing with integrated exhaust manifold*. • Designed for high exhaust gas temperatures. • Milled aluminium compressor wheel. • Water-cooled, low-friction bearing system*. • Highly effective sealing system. • High thermodynamic performance. • Durable, wear-optimised wastegate system for optimal charge pressure control. For more information, visit www.gcg.com.au *The specifications can vary depending on the type.
