Plastics play a central role in the demand for fuel-thrifty and environmentally friendly automobiles. More and more plastic parts are being used in virtually all automotive components - from the body to the interior and even the engine. This means not only lighter vehicles but also at the same time lower fuel consumption. At the invitation of the VDI Wissensforum more than 1200 specialists will be attending the international VDI conference 'Plastics in Automotive Engineering' on 13 and 14 March 2013 in Mannheim, Germany, in order to exchange ideas and information about current developments.
"Innovations in plastic technologies have a direct influence on future concepts in the automotive field. Plastics and plastic composite designs are in many cases making commercially realistic aesthetic forms possible which with other materials can only be achieved with a great deal of effort. They are also safeguarding optimum crash properties to a greater extent than ever before as also the high functional value of modern motor vehicles," says conference director Prof. Rudolf C. Stauber of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research.
The program of this two-day event will cover thematic groups ranging from the vehicle interior and exterior to lightweight construction, technology and the powertrain. The demand for modern production technologies for fiber-reinforced composite plastics is covered as is the subject of how high-strength fibers can be processed on the industrial scale. In the Exterior group, one block will examine the use of plastics in the commercial vehicle, such as, for example, lightweight designs for trucks. In addition to papers from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, MAN, Opel, Porsche VW and Renault, suppliers such as Fritzmeier Composite or Lanxess will present the current state of the art.
The program is rounded off with an accompanying trade show by plastics producers and machine manufacturers as well as an auto show with the latest cars and commercial vehicles.
"Innovations in plastic technologies have a direct influence on future concepts in the automotive field. Plastics and plastic composite designs are in many cases making commercially realistic aesthetic forms possible which with other materials can only be achieved with a great deal of effort. They are also safeguarding optimum crash properties to a greater extent than ever before as also the high functional value of modern motor vehicles," says conference director Prof. Rudolf C. Stauber of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research.
The program of this two-day event will cover thematic groups ranging from the vehicle interior and exterior to lightweight construction, technology and the powertrain. The demand for modern production technologies for fiber-reinforced composite plastics is covered as is the subject of how high-strength fibers can be processed on the industrial scale. In the Exterior group, one block will examine the use of plastics in the commercial vehicle, such as, for example, lightweight designs for trucks. In addition to papers from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, MAN, Opel, Porsche VW and Renault, suppliers such as Fritzmeier Composite or Lanxess will present the current state of the art.
The program is rounded off with an accompanying trade show by plastics producers and machine manufacturers as well as an auto show with the latest cars and commercial vehicles.
