Recently, NIO released its first five-seat SUV ES7, which uses an integrated casting all-aluminum rear frame. This is the second time NIO has used integrated die-casting technology in its products.
A reporter from Shanghai Securities News noticed that with the development of lightweight and electrification of automobiles, integrated die-casting technology has begun to be favored by new car manufacturers and new energy departments of traditional car companies. Open the research and development and application of integrated die-casting technology, and breed a new blue ocean market of integrated die-casting technology. In the face of new air outlets, die-casting machine manufacturers, auto parts and material manufacturers have followed up and actively deployed.
Lightweight leads integrated die casting popular
The integrated die-casting technology was proposed by Tesla in 2019 and applied to the rear floor production of Model Y in 2020.
The reporter noticed that in addition to NIO, Xiaopeng Motors, China Express, Volkswagen, Volvo, etc. are all actively deploying and adopting integrated die-casting technology. For example, Xiaopeng Motors chose Guangdong Hongtu as a supplier of integrated structural parts for one of its models. Why do new car manufacturers and new energy departments of traditional car companies favor integrated die-casting technology so much?
“Lightweight is the underlying logic of the popularity of integrated die-casting.” Regarding the deployment of integrated die-casting technology by OEMs, an executive of a listed company in the automotive industry chain said in an interview with reporters that compared with the use of stamping and welding technology, integrated die-casting The use of the entire aluminum alloy structure will greatly reduce the weight of the vehicle body; in the case that the battery cost is difficult to reduce, reducing the weight of the vehicle body reduces the power consumption (fuel consumption), thereby indirectly increasing the cruising range. In addition, the integrated die-cast parts also have better strength, hardness and consistency.
Regarding the benefits brought by the integrated die-casting technology, Tesla said that after adopting the integrated die-casting technology, Tesla integrated the original 80 stamped and welded parts of the rear floor into one component, reducing the weight of the rear floor by 10%. %, the cost dropped by 40%. NIO said that the ES7 uses an integrated casting all-aluminum rear subframe, which reduces the weight by 30% compared to the aluminum welding process of the same strength; the integrated rear floor on the ET5 not only reduces the weight by 30%, but also allows trunk space. Added 7L.
According to public data, taking a 1.5-ton passenger car as an example, compared with the use of steel, the use of integrated die-casting technology and aluminum alloy materials can reduce the weight by about 30%. For fuel vehicles, a 15% weight reduction can reduce fuel consumption by about 5%; new energy vehicles can reduce electricity consumption by about 10% with the same weight reduction.
How big the market will the integrated die casting technology bring? According to the research report of CITIC Securities, the current penetration rate of integrated die-casting technology in automobiles is only 12%, and the market size of related equipment in 2021 will be about 8.5 billion yuan. With the development of electric vehicles, it is expected that the penetration rate of integrated die casting will reach 84% by 2030, and the global market for related equipment will reach about 60 billion yuan.
“For a period of time in the future, new energy vehicles will more actively adopt integrated die-casting technology.” Some people in the automotive industry emphasized that, unlike traditional car factories, which have a complete layout in auto parts and supply chains, when new energy vehicles adopt integrated die-casting technology , which can reduce steps and costs in supply chain construction.
The new blue ocean is coming to the industry chain, and the company is busy with layout
“This is a brand-new blue ocean market, and the key is the process, materials, die-casting equipment and other links.” As for the integrated die-casting technology, the executives of the above listed companies in the automotive industry chain introduced that the market is still in the initial stage of application, and it is expected that the next two Three years will be a period of rapid advancement.
Under the concept of lightweight, integrated die-casting technology is in the ascendant, and die-casting machine companies, auto parts and materials companies in the industrial chain have long been eyeing this new “cake”.
“Integrated die-casting technology will enable the global die-casting machine market to show a sustained and high growth trend in the next 10 years.” A person engaged in the research and development of die-casting machines introduced that the tonnage of die-casting machines corresponding to the front, rear and battery bases of new energy vehicles is 6,000 tons. (T) to 12,000 tons, and the production of integrated car bodies also uses die-casting machines of more than 10,000 tons. This means that in order to adopt integrated die-casting technology in the future, new energy vehicle enterprises must build an integrated die-casting production workshop and purchase large-scale die-casting machines.
The reporter learned that most of the domestic demand for die-casting was concentrated in the small tonnage market below 4,500 tons. With the advancement of the integrated design of battery and body of new energy vehicles, the demand for large-scale die-casting machines has increased significantly. Leading companies such as Lijin Technology and Yizumi It has already been laid out in advance.
On May 26, Yizumi’s “Large and Agile LEAP Series Super Large Die Casting Machine 7,000-ton First Launch and 9,000-ton Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony” was held in Shunde, Foshan. On the same day, the company launched the LEAP7000T ultra-large intelligent die-casting machine and announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with FAW Foundry for a 9,000-ton die-casting overall solution. The latest progress of the company is that the commissioning of the 7,000-ton large-scale die-casting machine has been completed.
“Large die-casting machines are difficult to develop and manufacture, and the unit value is high. This is a market for leading players.” Some industry insiders commented on the market dividends brought by integrated die-casting technology, adding the risk of downstream manufacturers introducing new suppliers. Only a few leading die-casting machine companies in China have the strength to share this dividend.
Auto parts companies and material companies will not ignore the new “outlets” of integrated die casting. Companies such as Guangdong Hongtu and Wencan Co., Ltd. are at the forefront. Wencan Co., Ltd. announced on May 19 that the company and Lizhong Group have established a strategic partnership in the field of material development and process application of large-scale integrated body structural parts of new energy vehicles, integrated cast battery box boxes and other products, and jointly develop and apply Heat-resistant material for large-scale integrated aluminum castings.
The reporter noticed that in response to the concerns of investors, companies such as Xusheng, Fenglong, Ruihu Mould, Chervon Auto, Rongtai, Aikedi, and Kede CNC have also actively disclosed their information on the investor interaction platform. The progress or planning of chemical die casting technology.
“The current format is that both OEMs and parts companies are involved in the integrated die-casting market, but after the application becomes more mature, parts companies will be the main providers of integrated parts.” For the industrial development model, there are people from die-casting machine manufacturers Judging that the current integrated die-casting technology is only used in new energy vehicle floors, chassis and other fields, and in the future, the application of this technology can be extended to four doors and two covers, new energy battery pack shells and other production fields.