Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Volkswagen Doesn’t Have a Software Partner Problem

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Volkswagen Doesn’t Have a Software Partner Problem. It Has a System Problem.

Volkswagen’s $5.8B Rivian deal is already in trouble. Audi and Porsche models are delayed again. This isn’t new. It’s CARIAD all over again.

CARIAD didn’t fail because the vision was wrong. It failed because Volkswagen’s system is wrong.

After speaking with Robert Fey, a 13-year Volkswagen veteran who worked at CARMEQ and CARIAD from day one, the conclusion is clear: Volkswagen is organized to build hardware, not software. That system rewards silos, cost minimization, and committee control. Software needs speed, trust, and product ownership. Volkswagen offers none of that.

CARIAD was forced into project thinking—build software for one car, ship it, move on. Real software companies build platforms that evolve across models and years. The mismatch was fatal.

Decision-making is the real killer. Employees are told to act like entrepreneurs, but every decision requires approvals from procurement, finance, and IT. Teams own the outcomes but control nothing. The cheapest vendor wins. The loudest voice gets priority. Progress stalls.

Rivian understands what software needs: tight scope, clear ownership, and the discipline to say no. But Volkswagen can’t help itself. Midway through the plan, it adds new requirements like combustion engine support after the roadmap is set.

CARIAD would have said yes. Rivian says no. And that’s the problem.

Volkswagen keeps changing partners, but the results stay the same because the system never changes. Until it does, every software transformation will fail no matter who builds the code.

That’s the uncomfortable truth: Volkswagen doesn’t need better software partners. It needs a new operating system.

source : Philipp Raasch

ASR-Derived Recycled Plastic Manufactured by Toyota Tsusho Group Company Planic Adopted in the Underbody Cover of Toyota's New RAV4

Toyota Tsusho Corporation announced today that recycled plastic derived from ASR (#AutomotiveShredderResidue) manufactured by its Group Company K.K. Planic has been adopted in the underbody cover of Toyota Motor Corporation's new #RAV4.

This marks the first instance of recycled compound pellets (raw material for plastic), which are primarily derived from ASR, being used as the sole material of a single component of a Toyota vehicle in Japan. It is also the second time that a Planic product has been adopted in a Toyota vehicle, following the front fender seal of the Crown "Sport" launched this past July.

The underbody cover is a large part installed on the vehicle’s underside to protect the body from flying stones, water, mud, and other debris during driving. It also contributes to improved aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency, making it a critical part requiring high quality in terms of durability, strength, dimensional accuracy, and other factors.

ASR-derived #wasteplastics, are traditionally difficult to sort by material, have been considered unsuitable for use in high-quality automotive parts—unlike single-material waste plastics. Against this backdrop, Planic’s advanced sorting technology produced #recycledcompound pellets that met #ToyotaMotor’ stringent quality standards and were adopted as the sole raw material for a critical part. This marks a significant milestone in Japan’s Car to Car recycling initiative.

Currently, the European Union (EU) is debating the ELV Regulation proposal, which mandates that a portion of the plastic used in new cars be sourced from end-of-life vehicles. With similar discussions beginning in Japan, the effective utilization of end-of-life vehicle plastics and compliance with various regulations will become critical issues for Japan’s automotive industry going forward.

By promoting Car to Car recycling using ASR-derived plastics, #ToyotaTsusho and Planic will contribute to the sustainable development of a circular economy and automotive industry.

source : Toyota Tsusho

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Understanding Shrinkage in Injection Molding

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

🔹 Understanding Shrinkage in Injection Molding — It’s Not Just About the Mold

Shrinkage is one of the most overlooked—but most important—factors in plastic part design.

Why? Because every plastic shrinks as it cools. If not accounted for early, it can lead to:

✅ Warping

✅ Out-of-spec dimensions

✅ Assembly issues

Shrinkage depends on:

🔬 Material type – ABS vs. PA vs. PP = different shrink rates

🌡️ Molding conditions – like cooling rate and pressure

🧩 Part geometry – thicker walls tend to shrink more

📏 A 2% shrinkage may sound small—but on a 100 mm part, that’s 2 mm out of spec.

SCSplastic, we always simulate and calculate shrinkage before tooling starts. That’s how you get precision parts right the first time.

🛠️ Good shrinkage planning = less rework, better fit, and fewer surprises.

source : SCSplastic

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Selection of Epoxy Resin Systems for Type 3/4 Composite CNG/H2 Cylinders

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Selection of Epoxy Resin Systems for Type 3/4 Composite CNG and Hydrogen Cylinders

✅Epoxy resin systems are fundamental to the structural performance of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used in Type III and Type IV CNG and hydrogen cylinders. The resin system must be carefully engineered to deliver optimal mechanical properties, processing stability, and long-term durability. Multi-component epoxy formulations are typically optimized for low viscosity and high wettability to ensure effective fiber impregnation during filament winding.

✅Key thermomechanical parameters including viscosity, pot life, glass transition temperature (Tg), and curing kinetics—must be precisely matched to the manufacturing cycle. Elevated resin viscosity compromises fiber wet-out and interfacial adhesion with carbon fibers, resulting in voids, air entrapment, and interlaminar delamination, all of which significantly degrade laminate integrity and mechanical performance.

✅Role of Low-Viscosity Epoxy Systems

Low-viscosity epoxy systems are essential for achieving uniform resin distribution and consistent fiber infiltration across all winding layers. Strict control of resin-to-hardener ratios and resin content throughout the process is critical, as variations promote void formation and delamination. Robust fiber–matrix interfacial bonding ensures efficient load transfer; insufficient impregnation leads to localized stress concentrations and premature structural failure.

✅Curing Time and Process Control

Curing schedules must strictly follow manufacturer specifications, as they are governed by the polymerization and crosslinking reactions between epoxy, hardener, and accelerators. Prior to winding, critical resin properties such as viscosity, pot life, and Tg should be verified, as contamination, moisture uptake, or improper storage can alter curing behavior. Impurities may retard polymerization, producing weak regions within the laminate.

To ensure consistent crosslink density and laminate quality, Type IV cylinder manufacturers employ controlled thermal curing cycles, typically maintaining prescribed temperatures for 2, 4, or 6 hours. Purpose-built curing ovens with accurate temperature uniformity and programmable multi-stage profiles are essential for process optimization.

✅ Importance of Curing Integrity

Improvised or inadequately controlled curing ovens during early plant setup pose a high risk of product nonconformance. Temperature overshoot or extended exposure beyond recommended limits can induce thermal degradation or resin embrittlement. The curing cycle must be continuous and uninterrupted, as any thermal discontinuity can compromise crosslink formation and final mechanical performance.

Muthuramalingam Krishnan

Photo : Hexagon Composites ASA

Medical News Today HEALTHIEST FRUIT on Earth: What Happens to Your Body If You Eat Just 3 a Day

 Medical News Today

HEALTHIEST FRUIT on Earth: What Happens to Your Body If You Eat Just 3 a Day... See more 💬👇

Dates are the sweet, chewy fruits of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera). They are widely grown in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia and have been a staple food for thousands of years.

Nutritional Profile (per 100g of raw dates)

• Calories: ~277 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 75 g

• Sugars: 63 g

• Fiber: 7 g

• Protein: 2 g

• Fat: 0.2 g

• Vitamins: Rich in B vitamins (B6, niacin, folate), Vitamin K

• Minerals: High in potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron

Health Benefits

1. Energy Boost – Natural sugars provide quick energy.

2. Digestive Health – High fiber content promotes gut health and prevents constipation.

3. Heart Health – Potassium and magnesium support healthy blood pressure.

4. Bone Strength – Contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

5. Brain Health – Antioxidants in dates may reduce inflammation and support cognitive function.

6. Natural Sweetener – Can replace refined sugar in recipes.

Types of Dates

• Medjool – Large, soft, very sweet; often eaten fresh.

• Deglet Noor – Medium-sized, firmer, less sweet; often used in cooking.

• Barhi, Zahidi, Khadrawy – Other varieties with slightly different textures and sweetness.

Usage

• Eaten fresh or dried

• Added to smoothies, desserts, or energy bars

• Stuffed with nuts or cheese for snacks

• Used in Middle Eastern and North African dishes

Cautions

• High in natural sugar – consume in moderation, especially if you have diabetes.

• Can be sticky, so store properly to prevent clumping or spoilage.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XYbIOZ

source : Gary K.

Sunday's THOUGHTFUL Post : Turning Orange Peels Into Bioplastic

Sunday's THOUGHTFUL Post

Turning Orange Peels Into Bioplastic — A Simple, Powerful Circular Innovation

Every year, the global citrus industry produces millions of tons of orange peel waste. Most of it is discarded, even though it contains valuable natural compounds like cellulose and limonene.

But new research shows that orange peels can be transformed into biodegradable bioplastic materials — offering a sustainable, low-cost alternative to fossil-based plastics.

Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Orange peels are rich in cellulose

This gives them the structural properties needed to form biopolymer films.

2️⃣ The peels are processed into a natural bioplastic mixture

Using simple and economical techniques, researchers convert the peel into a film-forming material.

3️⃣ Glycerol acts as a natural plasticizer

It improves flexibility and mechanical strength — without using petrochemical additives.

4️⃣ The resulting bioplastic is fully biodegradable

Tests show strong flexibility, good thermal stability, and complete disintegration in soil conditions.

Why this matters:

Diverts food waste from landfills

Reduces dependency on virgin fossil-based plastics

Enables low-cost, accessible bioplastic production

Supports circular economy models in agriculture and packaging

Sometimes the most powerful innovations come from the simplest waste streams.

Question for my network:

Which agricultural waste do you think has the most potential for new materials?

Reference

Yaradoddi, J.S., Banapurmath, N.R., Ganachari, S.V., et al. (2021). Bio-based material from fruit waste of orange peel for industrial applications. Journal of Materials Research and Technology.

https://lnkd.in/gf8ZMheF

source : Wei Ling Wang