One of the biggest names in transportation in this country’s history – Bombardier – was recently in search of a way to keep their rail-cars fully operational at all times on a very specific line in New Jersey.Sep 25, 2020 | Aerospace, Automotive, Aviation, News, Rail, Transportation
The transportation industry has long depended on its ability to develop and test innovative designs on a regular basis, all in the name of reducing weight, improving strength, unlocking superior performance and other important goals. What a lot of people don’t realize is that plastics machining plays a huge role in all of those objectives and more – to the point where the world would probably look significantly different without materials like G10 FR4 and more.
Plastics in Transportation: A Perfect Relationship
One of the biggest names in transportation in this country’s history – Bombardier – was recently in search of a way to keep their rail-cars fully operational at all times on a very specific line in New Jersey. Safety covers on core components were regularly getting damaged, and the lead time to get replacement parts from Germany was just too long and the process too costly.
Bombardier then turned to plastics machining (and JMJ Profile, of course) for assistance. Using only a sample of the cover provided by Bombardier, JMJ was able to build an ample supply of necessary parts in a far more cost-effective way, allowing them to keep their trains running as efficiently and as safely as possible.
Of course, the transportation industry is obviously comprised of more than just the railroads. Automotive companies regularly use the innovation only possible with plastics machining to create better, stronger and longer-lasting versions of just about every component on vehicles that you can think of. This includes but is obviously not limited to things like fuel lines and pumps but also body panels, dashboards and more. That fancy upholstery that you like so much in your car that debuted with this year’s model is also likely something that you can thank plastics in transportation for!
Plastics machining also plays an essential role in aerospace, where innovations here allow for the creation of components that meet critical (not to mention demanding) weight and strength requirements and exacting design tolerances across the board. Components made from plastics machining are ideal in this environment for their specific insulating and thermal resistance characteristics, allowing designers to develop planes and other aircraft that can stand up to even the harshest conditions. This is of paramount importance, as the room for error is very slim. “Getting this one wrong” means potentially putting lives in danger, and there are no shortage of companies who have turned to plastics in transportation to help make sure that doesn’t happen.
And while commercial space transportation may not be a reality today, it one day will be – and given that organizations like NASA are already using plastics machining on a regular basis, it’s safe to say that these materials will be along for the ride.
All told, the transportation industry (both in the US and worldwide) has evolved enormously over the years in new and exciting ways that many of us couldn’t predicted. Plastics machining has been a big part of that nearly every step of the way – and we’re truly excited to think about what the NEXT few decades have in store for us all.
If you’d like to find out more information about the important role that plastics machining makes on the transportation industry on a daily basis, or if you’d just like to discuss your current phenolic needs with an expert in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact JMJ Profile today.
