The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (Afsa) last week officially launched a hardcover textbook, Aluminium Designs for the Commercial Vehicle Industry, to address the lack of technical information available on the lightweight construction of road vehicles.

AFSA's book is a translation of the German textbook 'Aluminium Konstruktionen des Nutzfahrzeugbaus' published by Aluminium-Verlag. The original book provides definitive information on the correct and optimum designing and machining of aluminium for commercial vehicles with up to date technical know-how. Realising the value of the content, with the permission of the original publishers, Afsa undertook the mammoth task of publishing the handbook in English.

“Aluminium Designs for the Commercial Vehicle Industry identifies the current level of knowledge regarding design and production methods of aluminium bodies and components and gives commercial vehicle manufacturers and vehicle body builders many valuable illustrated suggestions in terms of design know-how,” said David Hughes, executive director of Afsa.

The book is aimed at technicians and engineers of vehicle manufacturers, vehicle body builders, the delivery industry and the transport companies. Another target group includes students and lecturers in the field of vehicle technology and other related subjects.

The South African edition is not a direct translation as it has taken into account differences in aluminium terminology, chemical alloy designation systems and the different temper systems.

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