AP&T has received the University of Kassel’s new distinction for outstanding knowledge in press hardening. The distinction, Certificate of PHS Team Excellence, was conferred at AP&T’s Future Forming Seminar, which was organized in Shanghai for the car industry in the middle of October.

How can the car industry take advantage of new materials and forming methods to reduce vehicle weight and thus also fuel consumption and climate impact? This was the central question when AP&T organized the Future Forming Seminar in Shanghai from October 12-13. The speakers were world-leading experts from AP&T and various cooperation partners, and the seminar attracted around a hundred guests from OEMs and suppliers of materials, parts and components.

Demands to lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions are the main driving forces underlying the car industry’s great interest in lighter materials and weight-saving forming methods. AP&T has been paving the way for press hardening technology for several years by providing stronger and lighter designs.

“Press hardening technology has brought about a revolution in the sphere of cars, and there is significant potential for continued development. At AP&T we are investing heavily in skills development for both specialist expertise and a more broad range of skills to ensure we can continue to offer our customers the best turnkey solutions and support available in the market,” says Dr. Christian Koroschetz from AP&T’s R&D Center.

Over the past year, more than 160 of AP&T’s approximately 450 employees in the U.S., Asia and Europe received training in press hardening. Skills development comprises employees in all areas of the company from product development to marketing, sales and aftermarket. The investment initiative was recognized with the Certificate of PHS Team Excellence at the seminar in Shanghai. The distinction was conferred by Prof. Dr. Kurt Steinhoff and Agim Ademaj from the University of Kassel.

“The distinction is an acknowledgment that will encourage us to continue deepening our expertise on all levels to meet the demands of the future,” says Christian Koroschetz.

The question is whether the cars of tomorrow will be manufactured with press-hardened steel, composite materials, hot-formed aluminum or perhaps magnesium. One thing is certain – development is moving from using conventional cold-formed steel to using a combination of different materials. During the two-day seminar, participants were given the opportunity to learn about the latest progress within both materials and process development and to have a look at several different technologies. There was a great deal of interest, particularly in light-weight materials such as carbon fiber where new production methods have the potential to reduce manufacturing costs significantly.

The seminar in Shanghai concluded AP&T’s global seminar tour for 2015, which also included stops in Yokohama and Detroit. The speakers included representatives from AP&T, Nanjing StarQ, Bao Steel, CAR (Center for Automotive Research), ASSAB, ESI Group, Cell Impact, SINTEF Raufoss Manufacturing, IWU Fraunhofer and the University of Kassel, amongst others.

During the seminar in Shanghai, AP&T received the University of Kassel's new distinction, Certificate of PHS Team Excellence, for outstanding progress in press hardening. From left, AP&T's general manager in China Kari Rannisto, Dr. Martin Skrikerud and Dr. Christian Koroschetz from AP&T's R&D Center, Agima Ademaj and Prof. Dr. Kurt Steinhoff from the University of Kassel.

Pictured: During the seminar in Shanghai, AP&T received the University of Kassel’s new distinction, Certificate of PHS Team Excellence, for outstanding progress in press hardening. From left, AP&T’s general manager in China Kari Rannisto, Dr. Martin Skrikerud and Dr. Christian Koroschetz from AP&T’s R&D Center, Agim Ademaj and Prof. Dr. Kurt Steinhoff from the University of Kassel.