One of Linden's first successes in Israel was introducing Ravivcarbon fabric

Tag : Thermal Fabric
Linden, a native of Toronto, worked in six continents before movingto Israel. Currently Automotive Innovation Manager for EmcolEngineering and Manufacturing Co. Ltd, based in Ashdod, he isheading the effort to expand activities into advanced automotiveproducts. Linden sees the potential growth of Israel's automotiveparts and systems exports climbing to $1 billion in the next fiveyears and is moving into high gear to make that growth happen.
Israel is already a choice source for quality aluminum-magnesiumcastings and steel assemblies for Jaguar, MB, BMW, GM, VW, Peugeot,and Volvo. Who would have thought that Jaguar gets its engine headsin Israel? Or, that Audi buys engine valve springs from Israel?
The goal is to make the entire global automotive industry awarethat Israel is also the place for innovative materials,thermoplastic systems, advanced electronics and new technologies.
"Operating through the Israel Export Institute, we participated ina Stuttgart exhibition that demonstrated 14 all-new Israeltechnologies for the automotive industry. The event was co-hostedby MBTech, a division of Mercedes-Benz," says Linden.
Why outsource in Israel? In a presentation to Chrysler this month,Linden pointed out four benefits: better technical solutions, lowercosts, reliable on time delivery, high-quality parts.
One of Linden's first successes in Israel was introducing Ravivcarbon fabric heated seats. The system, designed and manufacturedat Kibbutz Revivim in the Negev, proved itself during a drive infreezing Michigan weather with Detroit automotive executives. Thesystem is now in development for introduction with a majorautomaker.
Israeli is years ahead in materials know-how. Ready for market is anew hardened fabric, tough and lightweight, that features a soft,luxurious-to-the-touch material on one side, and hard plastic shellon the other. TexoPlast's product stirred a lot of excitement whenit was demonstrated to two manufacturers in Europe last month. "Wesuggested it for interior trim, but when they heard about itsfeatures [European commercial vehicle manufacturer] MAN, said thatit was perfect solution for the cabin floor," said Linden. "Here isa product that impacts design."
Lincoln enhances its cars with super-quiet inner door panels madeby Polyram and Arkal Industries, and a luxury seating fabricproduced by Magical Industries, owned by Flocktex of KiryatMalachi. The high-end fabric, called Impala, which feels likeleather and is anti-stain, has earned high marks in durabilitytests. Another company, Adionim has developed a super thin, lowcost magnesium coating able to withstand extreme weathering andhundreds of hours of salt spray. Adionim has also developedtitanium coatings for engine pistons that provide a better seal forimproved fuel economy. Ben Gurion University of the Negev isdeveloping a strong, light-weight magnesium foam that is, saysLinden, "ideal for crash absorption and occupant protection."
Electronics - the multiplier
Electronics will be the industry multiplier of the future."Electronics used to be 15 percent of total car cost but it isedging up to 35%. "Israel is in place to become a leader in thisniche," said Linden.
Driver vision and security are strong categories. Xenlight's superefficient Xenon headlamp system, "better than Mitsubishi's," hasalready been picked up to enhance a major European luxury car. IPUIndustries is developing a 360 degree vision system for cars thatcombines thermal imaging, radar warning and video cam designed todistinguish and identify child pedestrians, adult pedestrians,animals and other objects on possible collision course. Elbit andMobilEye are also developing driver vision systems for Ford, whileIdesia uses driver heartbeat for a biometric-based security systemand driver health monitor.
IPU recently received a major contract to provide antennas, wiringand power distribution units (PDU) for a major Japanesemanufacturer. A kind of intelligent fuse box, the PDU monitors andsupports auxiliary applications such as security systems, audio,GPS, satellite TV, coffee warmer, and fog lamps. IPU's product iseasy to assemble, and operates safely with a minimal energy loss.
New Israeli "vehicle to environment" communications systemsincluding satellite TV reception promise to change the wholedriving experience. Perks to performance include engine controlmodules, an electronic voltage regulator, a system to monitor fluidquality and temperature (using microwave transmissions).
Israeli companies also offer electronic equipment to improve theaccuracy, quality and efficiencies of vehicle production.
In addition, there's the strategic decision taken by the Israeligovernment to push forward the development of the electric car formass transportation. Shai Agassi, the force behind Project BetterPlace, envisions the electric car as a viable alternative togasoline-guzzling vehicles. Linden helped to develop thecooperative strategy for advanced electronics with Renault, ProjectBetter Place's French partner, in building the prototype in Israel.Last month, Agassi pitched his vision to the U. S. Congress.
Besides helping to rev up Israel's automotive products industry toreach $1 billion in exports, Linden also has his own dream. "TheArava [desert] is the perfect venue for vehicle testing. It is thehottest, lowest, and most severe test environment in the world. Itis the ideal location for vehicle and system testing," he says.
Article courtesy Israel 21C