How Much Does Traffic Cost?

2 Mar 2018

Traffic jams are the scourge of drivers everywhere. Indeed there is seemingly no escape from congestion nor the retrieval of hours frittered away to queues and tailbacks. But can our frustration be monetised? How much are standstills truly costing the British taxpayer? Fortunes, it transpires.

Indeed research conducted by data analysts INRIX show that the UK lost a staggering £37.7 billion to traffic jams last year.

What Are Carbon-Ceramic Brakes?

1 Mar 2018

Using carbon and ceramics in braking systems offers significant advantages over other materials, but the processes involved in their manufacture are considerably lengthy and more expensive – why are they so expensive and is it worth the cost?

Perhaps an indicator to their eventual cost, the use of heat resistant carbon/ceramic based materials originated in the ever so expensive endeavour of space exploration.

The Future of Roads: Intelligent Road Studs

28 Feb 2018

Despite the efforts made to improve road safety, traffic collisions still regularly occur. The latest development in road infrastructure aims to reduce the numbers of accidents even further by evolving the tried and tested ‘cat’s eye’ into something more.

Invented in the UK in 1934, the cat’s eye has been quietly doing its job for over 80 years - the simplicity and effectiveness of its design standing the test of time and seeing it adopted around the world.

Types of Brake Pads and Which Should You Use

19 Feb 2018

Speed merchants may not like to admit it but the ability to stop in good time far outweighs the importance of lightening quick acceleration. With that in mind, appropriate brake pads go some way towards ensuring motorists’ safety on the road.

So what are they? Put simply, the component that applies the requisite pressure and friction to brake rotors, allowing a car to stop.

What Is The Effect of Tailgating On Traffic?

16 Feb 2018

Tailgating is the scourge of drivers everywhere. Indeed there is seemingly no motorist safe from those intent on getting up close and personal, whose impatience come ignorance invariably brings us bumper-to-bumper.

But aside from infuriating those on the receiving end, what effect do tailgaters have on traffic itself? A negative one, it transpires.

Orchestrating Your Engine - Why Sound is Important

15 Feb 2018

High end car brands place huge importance on the sound their vehicles make because of how they believe it affects potential buyers. Many have dedicated departments that spend millions on precisely tuning their cars to produce a very specific sound designed to induce the desired effect. 

Dania Flyby [Video]

6 Feb 2018

A flyby of our Dania facility. Split across two locations in Denmark and Poland, they specialise in the production of Industrial Hydraulic Housings.

Apprentice Activity Day [Video]

2 Feb 2018

Take a look back on action packed day for MAT Foundry apprentices...

Why Burn Engine Oil?

19 Jan 2018

A bit of a stir occurred in F1 this 2017 season with regards to teams using engine oil in ways other than prescribed. Several teams are under suspicion of using oil to supplement their fuel and gain more power as a result, and whether this was clever innovation or just being sneaky is still being debated.

To put some context behind this, fuel in F1 is heavily regulated.  You are strictly limited to 105kgs, and additives are restricted to tiny amounts - leaving the fuel used in F1 engines very similar to that of ordinary road cars.

Can Diesel Be Saved

18 Jan 2018

Diesel fuelled new cars sales have had a tough time this year. After the negative press surrounding their impact on the environment and the tax penalties suffered because of it, sales in the UK have dropped sharply.

December has seen new diesel car sales drop by 31% on the year, following a similar drop in November (-30%) and October (-21%)  – contributing to a 17% fall in annual diesel fuel car sales compared with 2016.

Women In Engineering (And Why They Are Needed)

16 Jan 2018

Gender gaps in employment sectors are still very much a reality for more industries than modern society would like to admit. Industries ranging from Fashion to Science to IT have all seen their work forces skewed one way or the other and have, or are working towards, overcoming the issue of a gender biased workforce.

What Is Double Clutching (And Should You Do it)?

22 Dez 2017

“Granny shifting instead of double clutching like you should”

Words made famous by ‘Dogranny-shiftingm’ (Vin Diesel) in 2001 film The Fast and the Furious. Maybe the low expectations of the movie led the makers to deem fact checking unnecessary, but this line staDouble clutchingnds out as a glaring error amongst a host of them relating to motor vehicles and their operation.

Steering Knuckle [Video]

21 Dez 2017

Passenger cars performance is constantly improving. As a result, mechanical stresses on the components are increasing – particularly for chassis applications.

Tesla's Electric Truck - Can it Deliver?

21 Dez 2017

In November 2017, Tesla announced their first effort in the commercial vehicle market – the Semi. In the presentation given by CEO Elon Musk, some very impressive claims were made about the capabilities of the Semi - but given Tesla’s problems surrounding the Model 3, can they deliver on them?

Alfa Romeo Return to F1

20 Dez 2017

In 2018 Alfa Romeo – after a thirty year absence – will be re-joining the pinnacle of motorsport for the Formula 1 18/19 season having teamed up with the Sauber team.

They are a marque with undoubted pedigree and a long history stretching back to the days of the very first Grand Prix’s, and will be a welcome addition to the F1 stable.

The Future of Roads - Plastic

15 Dez 2017

Appearing as if from nowhere and spreading across the roads like black pits of alloy shattering despair - winter brings about the growth of the dreaded pothole more than at any other time of year.

In their wake arises the relentless sea of orange plastic and amber light, to further torment motorists into traffic jam induced rages of impotence.  It doesn’t have to be this way, salvation is close to hand.

Terzo Millennio: Lamborghini and MIT's Self-Healing Car

13 Dez 2017

Technology is currently advancing at the fastest rate ever seen in the history of mankind. Advances that had never been dreamed of let alone fulfilled have come and gone; every new challenge that arises invites even greater determination to conquer it as soon as possible.

Bloodhound SSC - 1000mph Land Speed Record

5 Dez 2017

Back in 1997, Andy Green driving Thrust SSC shattered the land speed record by the largest margin in the records history when he achieved a top speed of 763mph - becoming the first and only supersonic man on land – and beating the previous record of 634mph set by Richard Noble driving Thrust 2 back in 1983.

Driverless Car Investment and Why Is It Happening?

29 Nov 2017

In November 2017 the UK government announced it was committing £100million to an industry matched investment fund designed to encourage the testing and development of driverless car technology on its roads. There are currently two existing testing centres in the UK and this will work to combine them into a central hub.

How Do Synchromesh Transmissions Work?

27 Nov 2017

Since its inception, the automobile has been subject to constant and relentless refinement to the point where the average car now possesses some extremely clever and complex engineering.

One of the more impressive components in any automobile is its transmission or ‘gearbox’, and whilst most cars do not benefit from the technology, the synchromesh gearbox is what the single-clutch manual transmission aspires to be. At least for the time being.

What Is The Opposed Piston Engine and Why Is It Better?

24 Nov 2017

Since its inception, the automobile has been subject to constant and relentless refinement to the point where the average car now possesses some extremely clever and complex engineering.

One of the more impressive components in any automobile is its transmission or ‘gearbox’, and whilst most cars do not benefit from the technology, the synchromesh gearbox is what the single-clutch manual transmission aspires to be. At least for the time being.

EURAC Facility [Video]

13 Nov 2017

Split across three locations in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic, EURAC has a capacity of 120,000 MT per year - producing brakes discs and drums for OEM and aftermarket.

It also possess the ability to machine and treat over 5.5million parts annually across it's three machining facilities.

Dalian Showcase [Video]

10 Nov 2017

Located in China, MAT Dalian has a 50,000 MT production capacity at it's world class casting facilities producing grey and ductile iron automotive components.

Lanchester Balancing System [Video]

27 Okt 2017

Assembled and machined by Schmidt Automotive, the Lanchester Balancing System cast by MAT Foundries Europe is found in vehicles across the world.

Can You Run An Engine Without Oil?

24 Okt 2017

The presence of oil and its distribution is absolutely crucial to an engines continued operation.  Engines can work without oil, but the effect is so damaging they are only capable of running for less than 30 minutes until failing - and in most cases, it’s a lot quicker than that.

What Happens At 300mph

20 Okt 2017

Speed has always been something of an obsession for humanity and never has it been better personified than by hyper car manufacturers.

Achieving a top speed of 300 miles per hour in a road legal production car has been their holy grail for thirty years now, and some are now getting tantalisingly close to realising their ambitions.

How Do HGV Brakes Work?

16 Okt 2017

Heavy Goods Vehicles use an air brake system based on a design from the 1800’s originally intended for use in trains - but the principles behind the system still endure today and are almost universally applied to all HGV’s, buses and trains with remarkable compatibility across the globe.

The New Face of Dania

10 Okt 2017

A member of MAT Foundry Group is changing its name. To better identify their position within the MAT Foundry Group and the global casting market, and demonstrate a stronger corporate identity, Jernstøberiet Dania ApS will now be known as MAT Dania.

Cyclists - How Can Motorists Keep Them Safe

9 Okt 2017

In the never ending battle for space on Britain’s highways one particular group is at the focus of more controversy than any other. We are of course are referring to cyclists.

Cyclists have almost become the de facto road user everyone loves to hate in recent years, occupying some sort of grey area between pedestrian and motorist.  Whenever an initiative is launched to improve cyclist safety it is usually met with derision and anecdotes of maniac cyclists running roughshod over the rules of the road.

What Are The Benefits of Real World Emissions Tests?

6 Okt 2017

The beginning of September 2017 saw a significant development for vehicle manufacturers selling their products in Europe as it marked the start date for the new emission testing procedures for all new cars.

The new test is actually two tests; the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Testing Procedure or WLTP, and the Real Driving Emissions test or RDE.

Eurac Poole and MFG HQ Flyby [Video]

3 Okt 2017

Our Eurac facility in Poole, England has over 5 decades of experience producing over 100,000 tonnes of grey iron castings per year.

Packaging, warehousing and logistics can also be managed on behalf of our customers, allowing us to run a complete brake disc programme on their behalf.

The Eurac facility also serves as the headquarters for the entire MAT Foundry Group.

UK Child Seat Laws - What Every Parent Should Know

29 Sep 2017

The legislation governing child car seats and their use has changed for 2017, so to make sure you are following the correct safety laws we have come up with a guide to help you.

What The Skills Gap Means For Automotive

27 Sep 2017

Despite being post economic crisis and well into recovery, several recent developments look almost certain to have serious repercussions for the sector and force significant change.The automotive industry has some significant challenges facing it over the next decade and beyond.

How Health Monitoring Could Save Lives

22 Sep 2017

Driver health monitoring isn’t really anything new - in the world of motorsports at least. Driving on the road and driving on the track are so fundamentally different that they require a completely different ways of thinking and each provide completely different stresses.

It would be easy to assume that racing at the limits of what is humanly possible would be more challenging considering there are times when a driver is one incorrect micro-adjustment away from certain death.

How Brakes and Tyres Work Together

30 Aug 2017

Under the right (or wrong) conditions, under hard braking a brake rotor can reach up to 500 degrees Celsius. When you consider that a 3,000 pound (lb) car travelling at 60 miles per hour produces 361,204 foot-pounds of torque, it’s not all that surprising.

More so when you get in to the dizzying heights of track days or professional racing.

Spec Ops: Giving Cars Night Vision

17 Aug 2017

We are at a unique point in our history. Humanity is on an inexorable march of progress that rewrites the rulebook on what we know…and then rewrites it again.

The rise of the machine - be it a robot crawling over the surface of Mars or the smartphone in our pocket - has spurred unprecedented innovation that has turned cars into mission control.

Summer Driving Tips [INFOGRAPHIC]

10 Aug 2017

The summer season as has been typically mixed around the world with temperatures soaring in Europe whilst the UK is beset by weather more in keeping with the autumn months.

However, never ones to be deterred, here are our top tips for safe summer driving.

Research and Development [VIDEO]

1 Aug 2017

What Are Undercar Airbags?

24 Jul 2017

Eurac Hradec's Machining Line Goes Live [VIDEO]

19 Jul 2017

Augmented Reality and Road Safety

17 Jul 2017

Apprentices Excel at Eurac Poole

14 Jul 2017

What Would Airless Tyres Mean For Safety?

11 Jul 2017

Testing and Inspection [VIDEO]

22 Jun 2017

Do Video Games Make Us Better Drivers?

21 Jun 2017

Going Off Road

9 Jun 2017

Dania Showcase Video Goes Live

7 Jun 2017

The Flying Car Will Change Everything

6 Jun 2017