Omnexus Launches User-Defined Enhancements

OmnexusOmnexus, the global eMarketplace for the plastics industry has added further cutting edge functionality to its online transactional service. The new features, which were launched on 30 April for processors in USA, will be available to customers in Europe from 1 August, but to enable users to familiarise themselves with the advantages of these enhancements in advance of their introduction, a demonstration can be previewed at www.omnexus.com where the link is indicated on the home page. If preferred, the demonstration module is also available on CD and can be requested on-site.

Polyamide air intake manifold saves costs, adds performance

Fig 1 The glass fibre reinforced polyamide manifold can withstand dynamic burst pressures of up to 10 bars, meaning it is unaffected if an engine should backfire. A new design of injection moulded air intake manifold, developed in France by Rhodia Engineering Plastics and Mark IV Automotive, is being used on two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) being produced by Ford in the US. The component is significantly cheaper than similar plastic manifolds and provides improved engine performances.

INTERNATIONAL(R) TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION ADOPTS METTON(R) LMR FOR FIRST ALL-PLASTIC CLASS 8 TRACTOR HOOD/FENDER ASSEMBLY

CHICAGO (August 9, 2001) – International® Truck and Engine Corp. announced here the introduction of the industry’s first all-plastic, class 8 tractor hood/fender assembly manufactured by Paramont LLC (formerly 21st Century Containers, Ltd). International’s 9900ix premium model series, heavy truck hood/fender assemblies that use METTON® liquid molding resin (LMR) from Metton America, Inc. (Atlanta) are approximately 90 square feet (8.36 m2) in outer surface area, they also cost less, and are 25-percent lighter than previous designs using hand spray-up, fiberglass composites. The METTON LMR material gives International’s plastic assemblies the added advantages of significantly faster throughput; better impact resistance; greater dimensional accuracy; and an improved, Class A paintable surface finish.