Friday, July 17, 2009
Spies Hecker - Efficient and truck vans
Different substrates such as aluminium, steel and plastic and different applications call for special product properties: Elasticity, non-slip characteristics and resistance to wear, chemicals, climatic effects and mechanical stressing, to name but a few.“Permafleet is more than just a paint system,” says Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist. “In addition to the balanced paints designed optimally for large surfaces, we support our customers with technical solutions, practical working aids and an extensive range of accessories.”
Technical data sheets and system posters give a rapid guide to the purposes, mixing and application of the paint system and ensure greater process security in the workshop. Individual support.
The Permafleet products meet the highest quality standards, and can be used for anything from customized original paintwork and repairs through to multicolour finishes. They score with rapid throughput and brief vehicle immobilization and adapt flexibly to the needs of the bodyshop. Professional advice is accorded top priority.
Arno Steyns explains: “Together with the bodyshop, we devise special paint system recommendations and optimize work processes in order to boost efficiency during application. We want commercial vehicles to stay on the road. Time laid-up in the bodyshop is costly for the owner.”“The range of services is rounded off with specialized seminars and practical training.” Arno Steyns adds. This way the business is perfectly equipped for trucks and vans.Another benefit is the possibility of branching out into new lines of business.
The Permafleet commercial vehicle system is compatible with the Permaflex product system for industrial coating and permits the painting of virtually any substrate with an abundance of possible effects.
Standowin - Modular, easy-to-use, precise results
The latest Standowin update from Standox features new practical aids that give refinishers even more support in their search for the right color. Combined with Genius, the handy Standox photospectrometer, the software detects even the smallest deviations from the original color and immediately provides a corrected formulation for the repair.
A dedicated database stores formulations generated by Genius under the customer’s name or reference for easy retrieval in future. Also it is now possible to operate Standowin using a touch screen. Before direct access to the formulations required operators to enter details such as the vehicle maker, model and color code via the PC keyboard. The 2/2009 update comes complete with a second CD, which contains the latest Technical Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets with up-to-date information on the Standox standard range. The data is available in over 20 languages and reflects the latest legislation.
Standowin is highly adaptable, offering innovative solutions for the best refinishing processes and providing assistance in organisation and administration. Thanks to the modular structure, the functions can be used individually, in part or in their entirety. Every bodyshop can install and use Standowin as required. More complex modules require activation by Standox. This activation is free of charge and comes complete with an introduction to the different modules and their possible uses.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
PPG introduces Audioguard Acoustical Coating
“Audioguard is made of a proprietary combination of laminar, fiber and resin that hardens into a tough coating material,” says Dave Chapman, marketing director, PPG Commercial Coatings. “Because it’s waterborne, it’s a zero-VOC product and a very ecologically sound way to address vehicle noise and vibration issues.”
According to Chapman, Audioguard is particularly suited for fire and emergency equipment applications, as it reduces siren and road noise and provides patients and EMTs with a lower-decibel interior environment. It is also effective in numerous other noise and vibration reduction applications. Audioguard can be applied by spraying onto exposed surfaces and into restricted areas by spray wands.
Audioguard features:
* Superior sound and vibration dampening
* One-component waterborne product
* A zero-VOC and non-HAP coating
* Air dry or heat curable
* Chip, crack and mar resistant
* Thermal insulating properties
* A high performance-to-price ratio
* OEM automotive approved
* Allows OEMs to meet passenger compartment noise abatement requirements
Saturday, July 4, 2009
New edition of ISO/TS 16949 quality specification for automotive industry supply chain
ISO/TS 16949:2009, Quality management systems – Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations, replaces the 2002 edition which has been used by the major automotive manufacturers to approve more than 35 000 organizations worldwide that produce and supply parts for the sector.
The review of ISO/TS 16949:2002 resulting in the 2009 edition was carried out by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and ISO technical committee ISO/TC 176, Quality management and quality assurance. The generalized implementation of ISO/TS 16949 quality management systems by automotive suppliers is seen as an opportunity to improve quality while reducing costs.
ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele commented: "With the global nature of the automotive industry quality management systems based on ISO/TS 16949:2009 throughout the supply chain will serve to streamline operations, and thus help organizations cut costs while improving efficiency. The publication of ISO/TS 16949 will assist the sector and to reassure consumers and ensure significant benefits for automotive suppliers amid the challenges facing the industry."
The new document aims at the development of a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. Incorporating the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949:2009 also includes detailed, sector-specific requirements for employee competence, awareness and training, design and development, production and service provision, control of monitoring and measuring devices, and measurement, analysis and improvement.
Joe Bransky, a member of the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) comments: “In today's lean manufacturing environment, huge contingency stocks of inventory have given way to just-in-time logistics and delivery. The foundation of certainty that ISO/TS 16949:2009 provides in terms of improved productivity, quality, and delivery in the supply-chain, is probably more essential than ever.”
The 2009 edition results from the amendment of ISO/TS 16949:2002 to ensure its compatibility with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, Quality management systems – Requirements. There are no essential changes to the technical requirements. The modifications relate mainly to the management requirements in the document to reflect the content of ISO 9001:2008, and those that are intended to improve consistency with the environmental management system standard, ISO 14001:2004.
Up to the end of December 2008, at least 39,300 ISO/TS 16949:2002 certificates had been issued in 81 countries and economies. This represents a 12 % increase over 2007.
The IATF has set a transition period of 120 days from date of publication of the new edition – 15 June – for organizations to comply with the standard's requirements. The details of the plan are given in a communiqué by the IATF Oversight Certification Body (www.iatfglobaloversight.org).
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Subaru - hatchback
However I've been seeing a couple of them on the roads recently and they seem to have something about them which is quite eye-catching .... and they're damn fast!
Dunno - let me know what you think of them?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Historical colour database for Porsche now complete
The Porsche chronology in Glasurit’s colour database starts in 1950 with the 356 model – the first model to have been mass-produced by this exclusive sports car manufacturer. Glasurit’s colour experts have determined the colours of all models that came onto the market after that. With enormously painstaking attention to detail more than 1,050 sports car colours have thus been compiled.
Adriablau (Adriatic Blue), Azurblau (Azure), Elfenbein (Ivory), Erdbeerrot (Strawberry Red), and Schwarz (Black) – these were the names of the Porsche 356 colours in those days. The exact hue behind the name is something experienced spraypainters can now find out in Glasurit’s database on the Internet. Here is stored the exact mixing formula for the colour in question – which thus makes it possible to mix the original colour using the Glasurit 90 Line waterborne paint system.
Of course, Glasurit is continuing with its work on the colour database by entering the latest Porsche colours and those of all other major manufacturers. But it is also continuing with its detective work in the field of historic colours, partly with the support of the car manufacturers and brand clubs. For the historical colour library is the centrepiece of Glasurit Classic Car Colors. With this Internet service Glasurit helps classic car aficionados all over the world to pursue their passion – the faithful restoration of vintage cars in keeping with the original models.
www.glasurit.com
Audi A3

The Audi A3 has been steadily growing on me as a hatchback. I reckon there are some very nice things that you can do to them to get eye-catching - "in-your-face design".... Almost tempted to get one.
Check out this pic from the Autostyle website of some of the things they are able to do with the newer shape Audi A3... Not bad at all.