Nov 13 2008
Today’s economic situation has placed unprecedented pressures on automotive OEMs to create fuel-efficient and stylish vehicles to attract savvy consumers. In order to provide both weight savings and achieve unique designs, OEMs are focusing on new technologies, such as polycarbonate (PC) glazing. To acquaint designers and engineers with the latest in glazing trends and successes in key global auto markets, SABIC Innovative Plastics is sponsoring “Plastics in Automotive Glazing,” a conference presented by European Plastics News and Plastics News. The conference, taking place in Livonia and Wixom, Mich. on Nov. 12-13, features design legend Charles “Chuck” W. Pelly as keynote speaker, as well as a site visit to Exatec, LLC, SABIC Innovative Plastics’ global glazing technology development center. Through its Exatec glazing organization, SABIC Innovative Plastics offers automotive customers the broadest portfolio of glazing solutions available, supported by world-class technological expertise.
The conference, which has been very successful in Europe over the past several years, is making its North American debut here. Highlights include remarks by Chris Smith, editor of European Plastics News; Pelly’s talk on emerging design trends, and presentations by industry experts on glazing regulations, plastic materials, coatings, molding and processing.
According to John Madej, president, Exatec, SABIC Innovative Plastics, “The combined resources of SABIC Innovative Plastics and Exatec offer designers the broadest tool kit of materials, coatings and technologies to create lightweight, stunning glazing components. We are delighted to sponsor this industry conference to showcase to our customers the many opportunities for innovative glazing using our polycarbonate materials.”
Exatec Advanced Technology Development Center Open House
As part of the technical content in the program at “Plastics in Automotive Glazing,” Exatec will give attendees a guided tour of its expanded glazing application development facility at its headquarters in nearby Wixom, Mich. Highlights will include new Exatec* E900 Grafx technology, which uses film insert molding technology for the first time in Lexan* PC automotive glazing applications. The Exatec E900 Grafx system is ideal for advanced visual effects and functional integration such as for logos and enhanced brand differentiation.
The open house will showcase Exatec’s suppliers and their latest technologies, including:
- Momentive Performance Materials - wet coats developed for PC glazing systems;
- Engel - two shot capable injection molding equipment;
- FKK - conductive paste for PC defroster applications;
- INglass - technology for the production of large polycarbonate windows;
- Summerer Technologies - injection molding processing technologies featuring tooling;
- Nazdar - ink development for different coating applications;
- Dow Chemical - adhesives used in bonding PC windows;
- Kuka Robotics – robotics technologies used in automation systems.
In 2008, Exatec significantly expanded its Wixom facility, adding new capabilities including an upgraded wet coating lab, a new two-shot capable large injection molding machine, and a unique, full-scale plasma system for continuously coating polycarbonate windows.