The 6th edition of the WAC-World Automotive Conference will take place in Istanbul on 17th October. Over 80 speakers from around the world will investigate, define and overcome the boundaries of the automotive sector as we know it today. SAPA is ready to face this new challenge.
Industry 4.0 – a choice or a necessity?
This is the question, perhaps the rhetorical question, that the organisers of the upcoming WAC asked some days ago.
I am very happy that SAPA was invited to give a speech at such an important event and present our point of view in relation to this question that is not easily answered.
Like me, you have long been in this sector and you know that drawing a line between these two aspects – choice and necessity, is not easy, particularly because our sector is ever evolving, and change is rapid.
Talking about the future of the car means talking about the present and what is already happening. Only from this perspective is it possible to give an answer.
You have noticed that the requirements of our sector are moving in a very clear direction: the direction of reducing waste and emissions. This is a fact.
The approaches to make this possible (and quickly) are manifold.
Maybe in this moment your company is developing parts that are compatible with new energy types, like for hydrogen or electric cars.
Maybe you are losing sleep over the task of designing parts that meet the new Horizon 2020 standards.
Maybe you are researching alternative materials to plastics.
I am sure that, like me, you are searching and evaluating the way that will bring the most results, possibly with a minimum level of effort and risk.
I know because I was in this same position and it was not easy.
Making important decisions quickly, meeting deadlines and setting priorities, keeping your boss happy: no, it’s not easy.
The solution that SAPA came up with and subsequently patented was the only one that I found convincing.
And I can assure you that we have tried and tested many options before getting to the One-Shot® Method.
Precisely. Because research has always been the basis of our innovation process, a process that stems from something you know very well: the traditional method.
In the traditional method there were limitations that would prevent us from improving and reaching the results we needed, for this reason we decided to improve it by optimising the process and creating a system that would adapt to any part.
What am I talking about?
I’m talking about all the issues that annoy you every day:
- Imperfections due to the production process not having been innovated;
- Delays in the delivery of the parts;
- Human errors linked to distraction or tiredness;
- New part weight requirements mandated by Horizon 2020;
- Long production chain that requires several phases.
And many more issues that I’m sure you’ve had to face.
The One-Shot® Method was created with the aim of lightweighting the parts, speeding up the production chain by reducing the number of phases, and obtaining high-quality results while also reducing waste.
You’ve read correctly: when we talk about One-Shot®, we refer to a method, a process, a way of doing things that can be applied to produce any part.
At the moment, there are no better solutions in terms of cost efficiency and project and industrial capabilities than plastics, for any kind of technology. In particular, the One-Shot® Method is the premium level among project and industrial methods, because it reduces the number of production steps and it massively increases productivity.
To date the One-Shot® Method is patented as the world’s fastest method to produce parts with:
- Less weight
- Less waste
- In shorter time;
- High quality standards
These are the topics that Engineer Mr Antonio Molaro will address at the WAC 2019.
We specialise in processes, in particular of polymers and high-performance polymers.
In recent years, we decided to invest in research on plastics, in particular bio-composite materials that meet the required performance standards and reduce waste at the same time. This was SAPA’s response.
We are living one of the best moments in the history of car part technologies, now we can shape the future of this sector.
What will it be like?
The future holds standardised processes, ultra-high-performance components (in terms of weight, mechanics and materials) and – as usual in the history of cars, at low costs. Those who will be able to take advantage of these changes will have a considerable competitive advantage.
The future is still made of plastics, and of bioplastics!
Kind regards
Giovanni Affinita,
Executive Director and Member of the Board of Directors at SAPA
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