By ELLEN READ
Technology New Zealand is putting $2 million into a light metals technology centre in Manukau City.
The deal is with the Auckland arm of ION, an Australian company that has Harley-Davidson as a customer.
Its three-year research project at ION Automotive in Manukau aims to crack the secret of producing materials to replace heavy steel components in cars and motorcycles.
The company says using semi-solid alloy, rather than casting liquid metal, results in products 20 per cent to 40 per cent stronger than traditional aluminium-cast components.
"It's like toothpaste and is easier to work with," said ION's research head, Darius Singh.
"Semi-solid casting changes the crystal structure of the alloy so it's stronger and you don't have to make the parts so thick."
The project has just received $2 million from Technology New Zealand and ION is contributing more than $3 million.
Singh said the technology would make the company a world leader.
"We make hubs, wheels and swingarms for Harley-Davidson.
"But there are scores of other companies around the world that would dearly love to have Harley on their books and are always approaching our client to show what they can do.
"There is intense demand to drive costs down but we also need to keep exciting our customers with new products and processes to keep them shopping with us," he said.
ION also makes wheels for Ford, General Motors, Holden and Peugeot.
The investment will go towards building a light metals technology centre in Manukau City to house a 1200-tonne casting press, being built during the next 10 months in the United States.
Technology NZ investment manager Colin Reid said the new casting techniques would open up new export opportunities.
"It helps establish a new centre of excellence in Manukau for light metal technology, brings new sales for the company and there will be a spill-over for the rest of the New Zealand industry."
$2m helps create a world leader
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