Dürr accelerates China automotive innovation with new R&D and sustainable tech

Drawing a record 15,000 attendees and showcasing over 550 exhibitors, Automechanika Birmingham highlighted the accelerating innovation in collision repair and ADAS calibration tools, alongside major product launches and expanded global supply chain roles for Asian manufacturers.The recent Automechanika event in Birmingham, UK, really marked a significant milestone for the automotive aftermarket and collision repair tech scene, pulling in a record-breaking 15,000 visitors and showcasing around 550 exhibitors. Over the course of three lively days, the expo became quite the hub of innovation, learning, and networking. It really highlighted how quickly the industry’s changing—especially with all the complexities that come with the rise of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, or ADAS, in modern vehicles. There was plenty to soak in—over 180 hours of specialist talks, to be honest, covering everything from vehicle detailing, speedy diagnostic repair systems, to new techniques for small area repairs. These sessions offered some pretty priceless insights, especially into the current hurdles and what the future might hold for collision repair and regular vehicle upkeep. Industry groups like Solera and Thatcham Training contributed heavily to this educational lineup by sharing their expertise—think clean sanding tech, seam replication, and also rolling out the latest Cubitron II abrasive discs, which now come in superfine grits to really improve repair quality and cut down on time. Big-name companies across the automotive aftermarket space had a strong presence, with dedicated lounges and live demo zones. Brands like 3M, Indasa, AllData, Hella, Norton Abrasives, Prevost, Thatcham Research, Walcom, and Sagola all showed off their latest gear and tech designed to make body shops more productive. For example, 3M introduced some new clean sanding and seam replication systems, while Norton Abrasives demonstrated customized workstations aimed at smoothing out workflows. You could also check out Indasa’s new HT Ceramic abrasive line, which is making waves globally, showing just how much abrasive tech has advanced—pretty handy for prepping surfaces efficiently. Product launches were definitely a highlight—over 50 new items hitting the scene during the event. One standout was Snap-On’s new V2180 wheel alignment package, featuring these honed rotating hubs—aimed at making wheel alignment both faster and more precise, which is super important given how complicated vehicles are getting. Hella also showcased its next-gen ADAS calibration tool—an absolutely vital piece of kit because with more ADAS systems in cars than ever before, calibration needs to be spot-on to keep safety and performance levels high. And GS27 launched a Ceramic Rain Cleaner, adding to the variety of products meant to keep everyday vehicle maintenance in check. Another interesting aspect was how Asian manufacturers are really stepping up their game within the global supply chain for automotive parts. Their footprint’s definitely expanding—in parts, gaskets, abrasives—you name it—making them pivotal players worldwide. It’s kind of a sign of how globalized and complex the supply chain puzzle has become in the auto repair universe. Beyond just showcasing products, Automechanika Birmingham put a real focus on skills development and ongoing education. The workshops and training hubs were packed with folks eager to learn new repair techniques, diagnostic methods, and the latest tech. It was a pretty immersive experience—not just sitting and listening, but also watching live demos and panel discussions. Whether you were a technician, a workshop manager, or an OEM specialist, there was plenty to take away to stay ahead of the game and keep up with tightening regs and high-tech car tech. All in all, the event really sent a clear message: the industry is committed to moving forward—innovating, training, adapting. As vehicles become more advanced, especially with systems like ADAS, the aftermarket's got to keep pace—upgrading its tools, skills, and processes—to ensure that repairs are safe, effective, and up to OEM standards. It’s pretty fascinating, really—how quickly this whole scene’s evolving. Source: Noah Wire Services

Emerging surface finishing and colouring technologies like DyeMansion’s VaporFuse Surfacing and DeepDye Colouring are enabling additive manufacturing to complement rather than replace conventional production, boosting performance and compliance across regulated industries such as healthcare and automotive.Additive manufacturing, or AM, is often seen as this disruptive game-changer ready to replace traditional methods like injection molding and machining. But honestly, that’s a bit of an oversimplification. The truth is, it’s not really about fighting for dominance; instead, it’s more about working hand-in-hand. AM has the potential—no, strike that—to greatly enhance existing manufacturing processes, opening up new possibilities, and speeding up innovation. This more nuanced view makes even more sense in industries where strict quality standards, regulatory hurdles, and aesthetic considerations are common—think automotive, healthcare, or consumer goods—where AM really boosts conventional workflows rather than outright replacing them. Now, one big challenge in integrating AM into mainstream production has been, well, the surface finish of 3D-printed parts. Sure, the hardware improvements have come a long way—faster, more precise, more capable. But the surfaces of printed parts still often fall short of the smooth, polished look you'd expect in final products or assembly lines. Characteristics like surface smoothness, consistent color, durability, and compliance are non-negotiable, especially in regulated sectors. That’s where innovations like DyeMansion’s VaporFuse Surfacing come into play—kind of like a magic touch—chemically sealing and smoothing plastic surfaces, which doesn’t just make them look better but also boosts performance by reducing porosity and friction. You see, this helps printed components fit right into existing production environments, running alongside traditionally made parts, supporting what’s called hybrid manufacturing, where AM-produced inserts or assemblies complement those injection-molded parts. These kinds of advancements aren’t just theoretical—they have real-world applications, especially in high-value, tightly regulated fields. For example, in prosthetics, VaporFuse Surfacing improves sockets by creating vacuum-compatible, super-smooth internal surfaces—making them more comfortable for the wearer and improving device performance. It’s a perfect demonstration of how surfacing tech goes well beyond pretty aesthetics and touches on actual functionality. Likewise, DyeMansion’s DeepDye Coloring addresses the need for consistent, durable coloring—meeting UV resistance, skin safety, and regulatory standards—crucial for products like custom-fit glasses or automotive components. The vibrant, compliant 3D-printed glasses for kids by Fitz Frames show how precise coloring not only looks good but also enhances product practicality and safety. If you look at case studies, the proof is there—AM’s role in production continues to grow. Take Wilson Sporting Goods, for instance. They developed an airless basketball made via 3D printing, and with VaporFuse Surfacing and DeepDye Coloring, it’s not just a prototype—it’s a fully playable, functional product. Over in healthcare, Ottobock uses additive manufacturing for pediatric skull helmets. They scan, print, and then finish the helmets with advanced surfacing and coloring processes—delivering lightweight, breathable orthotics much faster than traditional methods. This dramatically reduces lead times and manual labor, making a real difference. And it’s not just about individual products—there’s a strategic advantage in combining AM with traditional processes across various sectors. Industry reports show that this combo boosts speed during prototyping, allows for part consolidation, offers flexible production, and mixes the best of both worlds—design agility of 3D printing with the precision of established methods. Think about lighter parts, less wasted material, faster development cycles, and overall cost savings. For aerospace, automotive, and medical industries, where performance and compliance really matter, this synergy is a true game-changer. Looking at the bigger picture, the way we approach manufacturing is shifting. AM is being viewed less as a threat and more as a partner—an enabler supporting new manufacturing paradigms centered on flexibility, customization, and sustainability. Sure, injection molding remains the powerhouse for mass production, but 3D printing is gaining ground for short runs, highly personalized items, or components with complex geometries that are just too tricky or costly to make with traditional tooling. For the supply chain, this reality means embracing digital workflows that connect surface finishing, coloring, and part validation directly to additive processes, making it feasible to deliver high-quality, compliant parts at scale. In the end, the story around additive manufacturing continues to evolve. Innovations like chemical surface treatments and industrial coloring are closing the gap between prototypes and finished parts, ensuring that AM components can meet the tough requirements of real-world applications. Frankly, this paradigm shift unlocks a whole new realm of possibilities—melding the best traits of additive and traditional manufacturing, leading to faster innovation cycles, richer product designs, and high-performance outputs—all without sacrificing quality or compliance. It’s pretty encouraging, don’t you think? Source: Noah Wire Services

With major global players ramping up production and pilot projects, solid-state batteries are shifting from lab-scale innovation to real-world applications, promising safer, higher-density EV powerpacks amid ongoing technical and economic challenges.Solid-state batteries are actually seen as a pretty big breakthrough in the world of energy storage, often called the “dream battery” for the automotive realm. Why? Well, because they promise a lot—mainly high energy density combined with better safety features. This combo is especially crucial when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs) where driving range and battery safety are still major sticking points for both consumers and car makers. Over the past few years, we’ve seen rapid advances in the technology itself, along with efforts to ramp up industrial-scale production, which signals a shift — finally — from mere lab curiosity toward real-world application happening sooner rather than later. Based on data from TrendForce, the race to make these batteries commercially available involves close to a hundred companies worldwide now, most of which are steering toward sulfide-based solid electrolytes. This pathway seems to be favored because it offers higher ionic flow and is easier to handle in manufacturing, making it a front-runner for widespread use. Big Asian players like Toyota, Honda, Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, and SK On, along with Chinese giants such as CATL and BYD, are mainly focused on sulfide electrolytes despite some hurdles—like poor stability in air and the release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas during production. These technical issues complicate manufacturing and bump up costs. On the flip side, quite a few startups across North America and Europe are exploring other options—like polymer and oxide electrolytes—which tend to have fewer patent roadblocks and lower manufacturing risks, though they often deliver a bit less in terms of performance. Automakers aren’t just talking about batteries—they're actually testing them out in vehicles, which shows they genuinely believe this tech’s potential is happening pretty soon. For example, Mercedes-Benz began road-testing a prototype EV with advanced solid-state batteries as early as February 2025, after doing lots of lab tests first. This move underscores their commitment to pushing solid-state tech, especially since it can potentially boost energy density, cut down on weight, improve efficiency, and—most importantly—make batteries safer. Likewise, Stellantis has validated solid-state cells developed by U.S. startup Factorial Energy with its own FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology). They’re aiming to show these off in a fleet by 2026, promoting benefits like charging from 15% to over 90% in just 18 minutes at room temperature, and higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion packs. Meanwhile, regions around the world are ramping up efforts to build reliable supply chains for these batteries. Japan, South Korea, and China, both with support from industry giants and government backing, are developing infrastructure to boost production capacity. The plan? Well, global production is expected to exceed 100 GWh soon, covering factories already active with semi-solid state batteries as well as pilot projects making fully solid-state ones—scaling up to hundreds of MWh. This frenzy of activity means that, by around 2030, solid-state batteries could be firmly established in the market, according to industry forecasts. Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. The tech still faces big hurdles—like technical complexity, supply chain immaturity, and expensive manufacturing—that prevent full-scale mass production just yet. But, to be fair, some companies have already moved from research into pilot-scale output, with expected cell energy densities potentially surpassing 400 Wh/kg by 2027. Meanwhile, semi-solid electrolyte batteries, using oxides and polymers, are already being commercialized in China at GWh scales for EVs and energy storage. They’re kind of an intermediate step, with energy densities around 300–360 Wh/kg—getting close to that ‘best of both worlds’ sweet spot between traditional lithium-ion batteries and full solid-state options. There’s also some exciting progress on materials front—like Japan’s TDK, which recently announced achieving an energy density of 1,000 Wh/l in small solid batteries meant for gadgets like wireless headphones and smartwatches. That’s quite a milestone, especially for small devices. However, many industry experts remain cautious about simply scaling up this success for the big leagues—like cars—because mass production and some engineering challenges in robustness still pose tough obstacles. And while solid-state batteries are moving forward, the ongoing focus for EV safety right now involves improving existing lithium-ion batteries. There’ve been some high-profile fire incidents that raised alarms, mainly related to thermal runaway and impact issues. Since solid-state batteries are naturally more resistant to fire, they could eventually put an end to such problems, but until then, companies like CATL are working on improving pack designs—adding shock absorbers and structural reinforcements—to reduce fire risks and make consumers more comfortable with EVs. Looking ahead, it’s clear the development landscape is quite a mix—some major car makers are juggling multiple electrolyte options, startups are rapidly innovating in niche chemistries, and regional ecosystems are investing heavily in manufacturing capacity. Mercedes-Benz, for example, plans to incorporate silicon-based batteries into its G-Class EVs, mixing in novel materials alongside sulfide electrolytes and aiming for mass production sometime in the 2030s. Similarly, Samsung SDI is working on pilot solid-state cells boasting energy densities close to 900 Wh/l and quick-charging features; they’re aiming for commercialisation in the latter half of this decade. In summary, solid-state batteries are in a pretty fascinating transition—coming out of the experimental phase but still working toward full-scale production. While there are clear technical and economic challenges, there's also promising progress in materials science, supply chain setup, and strategic partnerships. These developments point to a transformative decade ahead for the auto industry supply chain. Companies involved in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors should be ready—they’ll need to adapt as this technology matures, reshaping vehicle design, safety standards, and how batteries are supplied and maintained. It’s an exciting time—things are poised to change, big time, in the next few years. Source: Noah Wire Services