Category Archive: Automotive Manufacturing Industry Trends

What Engineers Need to Know When Designing Automotive Electrical Systems

Today’s modern vehicles are technically advanced with electronics that run dozens of systems.

From running the engine to running the on-board entertainment system, a new car just wouldn’t be same without all the high-tech electronics. When designing new electronics for vehicle use there are many factors that need to be considered.

To make the designing process a little simpler, we have created a new eBook, entitled Design Considerations for Automotive Electrical Contacts & Terminals, to explain all the various complications that must be considered and all the options available from Keats Manufacturing Company.

Compiled by our very own experts, the free eBook is a guide to supporting and simplifying the engineering and design process of vehicle electronics.

Vehicle electronics must be able to withstand the tough conditions that cars and trucks encounter in the course of their lifetime. Utilizing the best possible contacts and terminals will ensure these systems work effectively over the life of the vehicle. This eBook lays out the information needed to meet the stringent design goals of the industry.

Keats’ eBook offer options for choosing the contact material for meeting parameters such as:

• Electrical conductivity
• Durability
• Separability, if the parts will repeatedly be mated
• Electrical and thermal resistance
• High signal passing ability or conductivity
• Thermal stability
• Cost

Design concerns are addressed as well as the benefits of different types of manufacturing processes, such as plating and forming options. With so many different options available in the fabrication of electrical contacts and terminals, it is important to understand how the processes differ and which ones will work the best in a certain application.

Consulting with an ISO 9001; ISO 14001 and TS 16949 compliant metal stamping company allows you to ensure that electrical contact designs will meet the demands of the automotive industry in terms of specifications, timeliness, and regulations.

Visit Keats Manufacturing today to download your free copy of Design Considerations for Automotive Electrical Contacts & Terminals. Feel free to contact us with any questions about your next project.

Trends to Watch in the Automotive Industry

Another trend in the auto industry is the growing popularity of clean diesel vehicles, especially for heavy duty and fleet applications. Clean diesel has been shown to reduce 99% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 98% of particulate emissions from heavy duty vehicles over the past decade.

But construction and fleet vehicles aren’t the only ones benefiting from clean diesel. The fuel is also entering the consumer market, with myriad automakers coming out with diesel-powered options. Volkswagen, for example, offers 7 diesel engine cars, which made up 23.5% of sales last year.

The crossover utility vehicle market has also seen more diesel options popping up lately. Jeep, Audi, and Mercedes have all unveiled new turbodiesel models in the United States.

Perhaps one of the most widely talked about automotive trends is the expansion of aluminum in automotive manufacturing. Since the metal is much lighter than traditional steel, incorporating aluminum in the body of an automobile helps to improve fuel economy. The metal is also revered for its corrosion resistance and overall durability, which are necessary traits in the auto sector.

As we continue to watch these trends take off, we’re interested in seeing what other new automotive developments take shape. If there’s anything you feel we’ve missed, let us know on Twitter. We always look forward to reading about progress in the field.