Ford’s 2015 aluminum bodied F-150
From June 2-4, Centre Mont-Royal in Montreal, Que. is hosting the 2014 Canadian International Aluminium Conference (CIAC). Among the key topics being discussed this year include opportunities for aluminum in the transportation sector, including use in the manufacturing of cars and light trucks. In order to help meet ever stricter fuel economy standards, construction of the newest generation of vehicles and equipment necessitates the use of a lighter, more durable and resistant material like aluminium for major components such as exterior panels, frames and unibodies.
Three expert panel discussions at the conference will examine the contribution of aluminium in road transportation (including passenger vehicles) as well as the public transit and aerospace sectors. The expertise of these participants will come from a variety of sources including Bombardier, Alstom, Héroux-Devtek; Sonaca; Marcon; Alcoa; All Raw Materials Consulting; la Société de gestion et d’acquisition de véhicules et systèmes de transport (AVT — company management and acquisition of vehicles and transport systems), National Research Council Canada (NRCC) ; SA2GE (Smart Affordable Green Efficient, The Coalition for Greener Aircraft) and Severstal.
“A large number of automotive manufacturers, including those producing cars, public transit vehicles and aircraft, have gravitated to aluminum whose expanded usage is becoming universal,” said Jean Simard, President and General Manager of the Aluminium Association of Canada. In reference to the automotive industry, Simard said that “ a few months ago, Ford announced that it would use aluminum to lower the weight of its iconic F-150 by some 300 kg (660 lbs). A few weeks later, spokespeople for General Motors and Chrysler expressed a similar interest. This is definitely a new era for the aluminum industry, similar to that of the production of the first aluminum can in the 1950s.”
For more information about the conference: visit: ciacmontreal.com
