NEW YORK - Alcoa announced that it is the recipient of a Global Innovation Award from Nissan Motor Company for its proprietary vacuum die casting process (AVDC) and new, advanced alloys used on the GT-R, Nissan’s new flagship, high-performance sports sedan. The award was presented at the Nissan Global Supplier Awards ceremony held recently in Tokyo.
“We are honored that Alcoa’s vacuum die casting process has been recognized by Nissan for technical innovation. The blending of this manufacturing process with advanced alloys enabled us to meet Nissan’s performance requirements, particularly strength and deformation characteristics, while still keeping a high-performance body made of lightweight materials,” said Kevin Kramer, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.
The GT-R features aluminum inner-door and rear-seat structures made from Alcoa’s AVDC process. The inner door, which is the largest vacuum die casting in the auto industry, and the rear seat structures offer weight savings up to 35% over steel designs. The components were produced at Alcoa’s Soest, Germany, plant.
Alcoa’s AVDC process provides structural engineers with the ability to “build in” critical reinforcing ribs where enhanced strength is required and to “design in” very specific details to help consolidate parts and streamline assembly.
