Eric Westlund

  • Posts: 110
  • Comments: 0
  • Since:
  • Posted in:

    Primary Aluminum Production Solutions: U.S. and Canada

    Editors Note: This survey focuses on primary aluminum production patents granted recently in the U.S. and Canada, neighboring countries working together since the industry began. Today, Canada is one of the largest aluminum exporters to the U.S. A large majority of Canada’s primary aluminum is exported to the U.S., making it an important raw material […]

  • Posted in:

    February 2024

    Cover When one chapter ends, another begins. Rio Tinto’s Arvida smelter in Quebec recently announced plans to shut down all six original potlines by the end of 2028. At the same time, Rio Tinto is investing $1.1 billion to install 96 new AP60 pots at the site, increasing capacity by 160,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminum […]

  • Posted in:

    Extruded Aluminum Design Leads the Way

    US11845323 — VEHICLE ROOF COMPRISING A SHADING ARRANGEMENT AND GUIDE RAILS — Webasto SE (Germany) — A vehicle roof having a plate-shaped body-shell element and a shading arrangement which has a shading element and guide rails for laterally guiding the shading element. At least one fixing element is formed integrally on each of the guide […]

  • Posted in:

    January 2024

    Cover The Inspire 2.0 design tool developed by ALMAG Aluminum in Canada incorporates six unique profiles to showcase the broad capabilities of aluminum extrusion and available secondary processes. The aim is to support designers and engineers and encourage the development of new ideas that are producible and ready to evolve into finished products. See article […]

  • Posted in:

    Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling

    Editor’s Note: The lightest of all metals, lithium is a fundamental material for the production of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (LIBs) which achieve high energy and power densities thanks to the unique atomic structure and electrochemical properties of lithium. Having been globally commercialized for some three decades, LIBs are available in various types, based on cathode […]

  • Posted in:

    December 2023

    Cover Top image is an Al-Li 2195 friction stir welded (FSW) spun formed dome. Lower image is an AI 2219 FSW spun formed crew module. The max diameter is ~12 ft x 6 ft tall. Both were collaborations between NASA and several space launch companies. See article beginning on page 32. (Photo: Wes Tayon, NASA.) […]

  • Posted in:

    High Pressure Die Casting of Automotive Aluminum

    Editor’s Note: Since the June issue of Light Metal Age ran the Viami International Inc. article on aluminum giga-castings in car manufacturing, the topic of high pressure die casting (HPDC) has prompted interest as a focus of this column, especially as it applies to automotive applications. Such castings predominate in today’s cars that are powered […]

  • Posted in:

    October 2023

    Cover The Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible supercar features structural aluminum components as part of its mixed-material strategy to improve performance and lighten weight. The ICE version has the most aluminum in its class segment. The MC20 Cielo with 621 horsepower engine can propel the car from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, seemingly lifting […]