PAL HELPS DRIVERS PUT THE BRAKES ON

The Pacifica Group is an Australian-based, world leading automotive brake technology company. Their products are chosen by some of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers because of their inherent technology, quality, reliability and innovative design features. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Pacifica employs around 1,800 people in eight countries almost exclusively via its automotive subsidiary PBR.

Many of PBR’s products have world patents and are recognised for their innovative qualities ?lightness, superior performance, durability and longevity. PBR supplies replacement products to some 45 countries and has developed performance brake upgrade products for the growing motor sports/performance market.

PBR is acknowledged as a world-class designer and manufacturer of brake systems and products for world markets. PBR’s growth has been substantial with sales rising from $325 million in 1998 to almost $1 billion in the current year.

"We are delighted that Pacifica has turned to us for a state-of-the-art plating machine intended to run 24-hours a day 288 days a year," explains Peter Salmon, PAL’s Australian agent and Surface Finishing consultant. "This is for their ‘Project ChaSE??China Sourcing and Expansion ?that sees the formation of a new enterprise, Pacifica Automotive Technologies (Dalian) in the Liaoning Province in North East China, to cast and machine brake parts.

It is a truly global venture, for PAT Dalian has contracted the project management and start up operation of the plant to Advanced Surface Treatments Ltd in Coventry, UK. Their Works Manager, Steve Hubbard will be moving to Dalian to oversee everything going on at the new plant. He and Ian Chapman, General Manager, Advanced Engineering at Pacifica Group Technologies have both spent time with us in Hong Kong, and we have visited them in Dalian to ensure that the line we are designing and building for them lives up to, and surpasses all their expectations.

"The first plating plant will deposit zinc-cobalt on 1.5 million calliper bodies and brackets each year; and zinc on 2.6 million Banksia back plates (PBR’s patented park brake system). The zinc-cobalt parts will be used in brake assemblies being exported to PBR Internationals assembly facilities in the USA and Australasia, who in turn will deliver finished assemblies through the chassis module supply chains to North American OE vehicle manufacturers?yet more proof of just what a global and sophisticated business we are talking about. It’s a far cry from the surface finishing plants and localised business of yesteryear!"

The key attributes that PAT Dalian and AST were looking for, and found with PAL, were lower capital cost per part, experience in the China region, not locked into a single chemical source and a proven track record in delivering to quality, cost and timing commitments.

PAL’s line for PAT Dalian, that will be delivered in December, is ‘U?shaped and designed for both zinc-cobalt or zinc plate, trivalent chromium passivate and top coat seal (for added corrosion resistance). The plant will process ten double flight bars every hour (20 total ?two at a time, for they are dual lift transporters) with up to 600kg of parts per double flight bar. Operating 24 hours a day and with components weighing between 2kg and 6kg, and having surface areas varying from 55,000mm2 to 1,100,000mm2, the plant will potentially process up to 25,000 tonnes of castings a year and coat 60,000m2 of product a year

Each component type will be loaded and unloaded at its own specific racking position (three altogether) where the racks will be raised and lowered by the operators for ergonomic positioning of the fixtures. The rack window has a vertical height of 4ft, and there are sufficient flight bar storage stages to permit the machine to run out unattended at the end of operations. Further information on Pacifica and PBR at www.pacifica.com.au and www.pbr.com.au

**LATE NEWS**

Aurangabad has just ordered an expansion of their plant. They are adding a transporter and activating two nickel tanks. This expansion will take monthly production from 120,000 to 200,000 wheel rims.

AND STILL MORE!

Installation has just been completed of a PAL:Kamtress line at India’s Neel Metal. This machine will plate up to 2,450 Nickel Chrome wheel rims for motorcycles every day.