You can take any ordinary car and turn it into a hot rod by adding more horsepower, replace suspension, add sports seats, add a new dynamic sounding exhaust system and few others. This is exactly what BMW did to make a new M235i. The 2 Series BMW is a new name for its replacement of its 1 Series.

The 3.0-liter in-line 6 that generates 320 horsepower comes with 8-speed automatic and rear wheel drive. It delivers 22 city, 32 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon. The M235i comes with a variable-ratio steering, electronically controlled suspensions, upgraded brakes, new air intake system in front and yes, a 6-cylinder engine that generates 320 horsepower. All these add to quick acceleration and generate much loved exhaust noise expect from a hot rod.

With a manufacturer’s suggested retail base price of $44,050 its price is not slump change. But you will love the balance it provides due to rear wheel drive. Some critics say it should have come with an oil pressure gauge and a water temperature measurement indicator to make it true hot rod. Don’t worry, it is a 2014 Top Safety Pick+ and comes with a good rating from IIHS.

American manufacturing is fast becoming a world leader, especially in quality parts made cheaply. Much of this boils down to improvements made in advanced manufacturing. We can do more with a lot less, especially when it comes to materials and waste. Companies have gone to great lengths to try and save every resource possible, including adopting new practices like sputter deposition.

Machines

The machines that handle these processes are complicated by nature because they must handle extremely specific processes. Everything from the way a substrate is coated, to the methods used to heat the coating materials, must be precisely measured. Plastic is a great example of why this is. At high temperatures, like the kind that would melt metal, plastic would also melt.

Vacuum deposition systems are able to control variables like temperature at extremely precise rates, and the substrate receives an even coating thanks to rotating platforms that let molecules settle evenly on the surface of the object.

Applications

One major area where these changes have made a noticeable improvement is in the field of technology. Technology has a tendency to scale downward in price as time goes on. We’ve seen that as technology becomes more advanced, it becomes cheaper and easier to manufacture. Semiconductors benefit heavily from these systems. The coatings allow for precise layering of metals on circuitry. This makes everything from smaller cell phones to powerful computers possible.

High performance engines, like the kinds used in air planes and race cars, also benefit from this kind of technology. The intense use these engines are put through is not meant for sustainability, so industry has had to adopt. Metalizing plastic screws has become commonplace in newer engine and chassis designs.

Consumers also benefit from technology they use in their homes. Especially those who utilize health care technology. Eye glasses with anti-glare coating are made of a special kind of plastic. The coating is not a liquid form, or else it would lose effectiveness. The coating must be applied in a microscopically thin layer.

Advantages

Aside from the ability to control variables with precision, much of this technology is useful because it can coat something with such an even finish. Sputtering tends to give a matte or anodized finish, but the coating is without defect and even across the surface of the substrate. That level of precision also means lower costs to the manufacturer, who isn’t paying for materials unnecessarily wasted.
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Denton Vacuum, LLC sells vacuum deposition systems for industrial manufacturing applications.

Gas prices are at reasonably low prices in recent months. That doesn’t stop people looking for automobiles that deliver better MPG at affordable prices. Many are especially looking for SUVs for various reasons. Some SUVs deliver more than 30 MPG while most of them claim more than 25 MPG.

People with large families or carry many things around prefer full-size SUVs. Let’s take a look at full-size SUVs that deliver good gas mileage. Among the top tier Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento claims that they deliver more than 25 MPG on highway. They provide ample cargo space and seat up to seven people comfortably. A crossover, Subaru XV Crosstrek, deliver 30 MPG on highway.

Many manufacturers are coming out with more fuel efficient SUVs. Yet to be introduced version of Nissan Rogue claim that it can deliver 48 MPG for around $25,000 price tag. 2016 RAV4 hybrid on the other hand deliver 40 MPG for about $30,000 MSRP. Its 2015 model has been named the most-fuel efficient in the class. If you are in the market for a SUV, clearly understand what you are looking for whether it is gas mileage or one that fits your budget, you are in luck.

Cyber security has been a primary concern for the Internet for several years. With more and more vehicles are equipped with Internet capable devices in cars, now it has become a concern for car manufacturers. A recent security breach in BMW’s Connected Drive remote-services system by researchers highlights the need to do more to protect the safety and security of drivers. Researchers found holes in the telematics system that allowed them to remotely get into the BMW’s cars and unlock doors and an opportunity to manipulate vehicle’s critical functions.

A possibility of remote security breach is a real problem for the auto industry. Fortunately for vehicle owners, so far breach can occur only within a close proximity to a vehicle. But hackers are hard at work and are coming up with new devices for true remote hacking of systems in vehicles without entering the vehicle or within a close proximity of a vehicle. More and more vehicles are providing and accommodating Internet access for smartphones, gaming devices and tablets inside cars while driving. Additionally, most of the vehicles today get updates over-the-air. These strengthen the need to address cyber security issues for vehicles sooner than later.